BREAKING: Prince Henrik of Denmark has died after battle with illness

The Danish Royal Family said in a statement: “His Royal Highness Prince Henrik died on Tuesday, February 13, at 11.18pm quietly at Fredensborg Palace.

“The Prince was surrounded by Her Majesty the Queen and their two sons.”

The 83-year-old French-born prince was diagnosed with a benign tumour two weeks ago. He had been hospitalised following an illness that began during a private trip to Egypt.

Shortly before his death, he was transferred from a Copenhagen hospital back to the castle, north of the city, where he had wanted to spend “his final time”.

Prince Henrik has been at the centre of controversy after he announced he did not wish to be buried next to his wife, Queen Margrethe, saying he was unhappy she never acknowledged him as her equal.

Crown Princess Mary, who is Frederik’s wife, visited Henrik in hospital in Copenhagen on Friday along with two of her children, the newspaper also said. Princess Mary was born in Australia.

Born in France in 1934, Prince Henrik married Queen Margrethe in 1967 and they have two sons, the Crown Prince and Prince Joachim.

The Royal House in September said Prince Henrik had been diagnosed with dementia.

Crown Prince Frederik is a member of the International Olympic Committee.