Prince Joachim's ex-wife Countess Alexandra speaks out after Danish royal's major health scare

Countess Alexandra of Frederiksborg has spoken out about her ex-husband's recent health scare.

The first wife of Prince Joachim of Denmark, who shares two sons with the royal, told Danish magazine Billed Bladet of her shock at his sudden emergency surgery for a blood clot in his brain.

"We are very relieved that HRH Prince Joachim has now been discharged from hospital," the Countess said in a statement.

"It came as a big shock to us, as we had just finished some wonderful days together at Chateau de Cayx in connection with Prince Felix's birthday.

"Fortunately, my sons have been in constant contact with their father during the hospitalisation. The prince even called them the day after the operation, which meant an incredible amount to them.

"Today, like all the other days, I send many warm thoughts to the whole family in France."

Countess Alexandra and Prince Joachim were married just shy of ten years, from November 1995 to April 2005.

The Danish royal has since re-married, to Princess Marie in 2008, and the couple have two children.

The blended family spent time together at the chateau to celebrate Prince Felix's 18th birthday with brother Prince Nikolai, 20, and half-siblings Prince Henrik, 11, and Princess Athena, eight.

Prince Joachim is now recuperating there after being discharged from the University Hospital of Toulouse in France earlier this week.

The Danish Royal Household announced he had recovered enough to be sent home, ten days after he underwent emergency surgery.

"It is now the opinion of the doctors that the Prince's health has improved to such an extent that His Royal Highness can be discharged, and Prince Joachim is now staying at the Château de Cayx," a statement said.

"It is still the family's wish that the Prince has the necessary peace to recover completely.

Prince Joachim's wife, 44, has been by his side throughout the health scare and the couple said they "would like to take this opportunity to thank the hospital staff involved for a professional course".

The 51-year-old younger brother of Prince Frederik was in ICU following the operation, before being moved to a ward to recover.

Following the procedure, doctors revealed that "the blood clot in the brain was due to a sudden dissection of an artery" and believe that once healed, the condition shouldn't return.

Prince Joachim had been in France since May, with the royal set to begin a new role as a diplomat at the Danish Embassy in Paris from September.

It's unclear whether the Prince will continue with his plans or give up what's been described by Danish media as his "dream job".