Prince Changes Apartments

Bowing to Cambridge's diplomatic pressure, the Crown Prince of Denmark has agreed to pass on the rent-controlled house Harvard had assigned him, according to Cambridge City Councillors and officials at the Danish Embassy in New York.

Prince Fredrick unwittingly entered into controversy by accepting rent-control housing at 17 Ware St. for his stay next year as a visiting undergraduate.

Concerned city councillors quickly drew up a politely-worded resolution intended to nudge the prince out, and he obliged.

"A new residence for the Price has been found, so it has been solved. There's no problem anymore," said Danish Vice-Consul Birgitte Haederseal. "We certainly didn't want any problem with [the rent-control controversy], she said. Haederseal said she did not know where the Prince would be living next fall.

Councillor William H. Walsh said he was pleased that the Prince had reconsidered.

"I think it's good that the Prince recognized the purpose for which the statute was made," he said "I think it's the best message that the City Council and the Prince could send out .... Maybe the Prince will set a new standard."

He added that he would like to see other Cambridge residents who don't need to live in rent-controlled housing follow the Prince's example.

"There's something wrong with welfare for the wealthy, from the poor," he said.

In spite of the conflict, Cambridge will offer a warm welcome to the Danish visiting undergraduate when he arrives next fall, said Walsh. He said that he assured a Danish TV reporter that "we're not hostile to the Prince."

"When he comes to Cambridge, I'll be glad to take him for a beer," Walsh said.