BEIJING, March. 25 -- Prince Joachim of Denmark, the youngest son of Queen Margrethe II, and his Hong Kong-born wife Princess Alexandra have officially filed for divorce after a six-month trial separation, the royal court said.

    The couple announced their "difficult" decision to separate last Sept. 16, and officially parted a week later.

    "The sympathy and support that we witnessed from so many parties during the separation has helped both of us to come through this difficult period and has largely contributed to ensuring a good and secure daily existence for our children," the ex-couple said in a common statement.

    Joachim, 35, and 40-year-old Alexandra Christina Manley, were married Nov. 18, 1995.

    They have two sons together, Nicolai, 5, and Felix, 2, who are currently living with their mother in an apartment in the Royal Palace of Amalienborg in Copenhagen, and who will soon move with her to a house three kilometers away.

    After the divorce, Alexandra will lose her title of "Royal Highness," and will only be called "Highness," according to the Royal Court.

    She will continue to receive an annual state pension of 1.5 million kroner (US$262,000) as long as she does not remarry.

    (Source: Shenzhen Daily/Agencies)