The Rise of Crown Prince Frederik: Denmark's Future King
At the young age of three, Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark began his journey towards becoming King Frederik X From a rebellious teen to an accomplished athlete, his life took a turn with a chance encounter Soon, he will ascend to the throne as the ruler of Europe's oldest monarchy
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Just weeks ago, Denmark's royal transition was ignited by Queen Margrethe II's bombshell announcement on New Year's Eve. She revealed her intention to abdicate in early 2024, shocking Danes across the country. The news of Frederik's popular mother, the world's only reigning queen, relinquishing the throne. Margrethe had become Europe's longest-serving monarch after the death of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II in 2022. The pair were known to be close, and it was widely assumed that the Danish head of state, like her distant cousin, viewed her role as a job for life.
However, the 83-year-old appears to have had a change of heart and will step aside exactly 52 years to the day after she ascended the throne. So, who is Denmark's soon-to-be king and what kind of monarch will he be?
Denmark's Crown Prince Frederik will take over from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, when she formally steps down as monarch on Sunday.
Hasse Nielsen
A rebellious teen
Despite the Danish monarchy's long history of over 1,000 years, their role is now limited by the country's constitution. The Danish people take great pride in their royal family, and the monarchs fulfill an important ambassadorial function.
"He is incredibly popular and the polls reflect strong support from the Danish people," said Birgitte Borup, the culture editor at the Danish newspaper Berlingske. "Queen Margrethe is practically handing him the monarchy on a silver platter."
Borup stated that Frederik will be "a unique type of king," noting that he is "very down-to-earth and interested in sports, while his mother is more culturally refined." She also mentioned that "his biggest challenge might be his public speaking skills," as he is "not known for his ability to speak off the cuff in front of a crowd."
Frederik André Henrik Christian, born in 1968, is the eldest child of Margrethe and her late husband, Prince Henrik, who passed away in 2018. His name follows the Danish royal tradition in which the heir apparent is named Frederik or Christian. His younger sibling, Prince Joachim, was born in 1969.
Growing up in the public eye was challenging for the reserved young royal. He attended Krebs Skole, a prestigious private school in Copenhagen, before moving to a boarding school in Normandy, France. Frederik struggled with media attention and felt apprehensive about his future. In the early 1990s, he was often perceived as a "party prince" with a love for fast cars.
Crown Prince Frederik began his military education in 1986 in the Queen's Life Guard Regiment.
After his time at Aarhus University successfully restored his reputation, he achieved a significant milestone in 1995 by becoming the first Danish royal to earn a master's degree. During his political science studies, he spent a year at Harvard under the pseudonym Frederik Henriksen, paying homage to his father. This experience significantly contributed to his academic and personal growth.
Accomplished athlete
During his time in the US, Frederik - who is also proficient in French, English, and German - gained valuable diplomatic experience while serving at Denmark's UN mission for several months in 1994. He then went on to be stationed in Paris for a year, serving as the first secretary of the Danish embassy in 1998.
Frederik has completed rigorous military training in all three branches of the Danish military, including specialized training in the navy's elite Frogman Corps, earning him the nickname "Pingo" ("Penguin").
In addition to his decorated military career, he is an enthusiastic and highly capable athlete. He has participated in several marathons in cities such as Copenhagen, Paris, and New York. In 2013, he made history as the first royal to compete in an Ironman, completing the event with a time of 10:45:32.
He also served as a member of the International Olympic Committee from 2009 to 2021. In 2000, he participated in a 2,795-kilometer (1,737-mile) dog-sled expedition across northern Greenland. Additionally, Frederik became well-known in his home country through his Royal Run initiative. Launched in 2018 to celebrate his 50th birthday, this sporting event has grown to become one of the nation's largest running events, drawing over 80,000 participants annually.
The avid sportsman waves after crossing the finish line during the yearly Royal Run in Copenhagen last May.
Ida Marie Odgaard/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP/Getty Images
Similar to his British counterpart, King Charles III, the 55-year-old has also developed a strong interest in environmentalism. Ever since Copenhagen hosted the COP15 climate talks in 2009, he has been actively involved in raising awareness about the dangers of climate change and advocating for Denmark's involvement in a more sustainable future.
Danish royal experts believe that although Frederik is well-liked by the public, he will encounter difficulties when he assumes the role of king and head of state of Denmark, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands.
According to historian Lars Hovbakke Sørensen, "Crown Prince Frederik has a more informal demeanor compared to his mother. In order to maintain widespread support for the monarchy, he will need to broaden his appeal beyond sports enthusiasts by demonstrating an interest in other societal issues."
Danish writer Trine Villemann stated in an interview with CNN that "Frederik will need to demonstrate that he has capabilities beyond just sports." Villemann, a former royal correspondent and author of "1015 Copenhagen K," an unauthorized biography of the family, clarified that "despite publicly expressing comfort with his future role for several years, there remains a lingering doubt among many Danes, and he must address this, regardless of his popularity."
Chance encounter
Frederik left his bachelor days behind when he encountered Australian sales executive Mary Elizabeth Donaldson. Their paths crossed at a lively Sydney pub in 2000, during the crown prince's visit to Australia for the 2000 Summer Olympics. According to the story, Mary was unaware that she was being charmed that night by actual royalty.
Four years later, the pair wed in a lavish ceremony at Copenhagen Cathedral before a congregation of kings, queens and honored guests and watched by millions around the world.
Frederik and Mary appeared on the balcony of Christian VII's Palace after their 2004 wedding. They were joined by the Queen and her late husband, Prince Henrik, as well as the crown princess's father, John Donaldson, and his wife, Susan Moody.
They currently have four children: Christian, 18, who will become Denmark's new crown prince when his father ascends, 16-year-old Isabella, and 13-year-old twins, Vincent and Josephine. They have chosen to give their children a less formal upbringing compared to Frederik's by enrolling them in regular state schools.
In an interview with CNN prior to her 2012 Ruby Jubilee, marking her 40 years on the Danish throne, Queen Margrethe expressed her deep admiration for her daughter-in-law, saying, "I have great faith in her. Our relationship is very strong and warm."
On November 07, 2023 in Copenhagen, Denmark, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark is pictured smiling during a visit to observe the construction of the new Mary Elizabeth's Hospital for Children, Teens, and Expecting Families. (Photo by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images)
Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images
Denmarks Crown Princess Mary to become first Australian-born Queen
Ordinary Danes have also warmly welcomed Mary, praising her grace and dedication to charitable work. Villemann refers to Mary as "the force supporting Frederik" and applauds her remarkable and impressive transition from commoner to beloved royal.
The royal expert highlights some of the future queen's key priorities over the years, including her focus on mental health and efforts to address bullying and loneliness through her foundation. She mentioned, "I would argue that Mary has set an example for other royals, like the Princess of Wales, in championing causes and raising awareness through her royal platform."
Borup believes that Mary will be a "valuable asset for the monarchy" in the coming years.
"She may not have been born into royalty, but you wouldn't know it. She exudes grace and is a remarkable ambassador for Denmark," she remarked. "She's known for her impeccable preparation, and she has taken on significant roles, such as advocating against domestic violence.
"The old story used to be that Mary was lucky to meet a prince, but I believe it's become clear that he was the fortunate one."
