Frederik X becomes king of Denmark: between curiosity and gossip

January 14th is a historic day for the Danish Royal House, due to the accession to the throne of Prince Frederik, who will take the name Frederik Lots of news has arrived so far on the day, to which gossip and indiscretions have inevitably been added that have not been directly confirmed by the court. Here's everything we know so far, and what really happens.

1.Frederik X will not be crowned

Forget the complex ritual of the coronation of King Charles III, which may have been the last so traditional in history: the Danish monarchy abolished the crown and scepter centuries ago preferring a simpler one proclamation. Unlike Queen Margrethe II, however, who in 1972 was proclaimed sovereign by the Prime Minister after the death of her father Frederik IX, this time there being an abdication involved, the handover will be sanctioned by a meeting of the Council of State, during the which the sovereign will sign the official documents with which she retires. Only after the bureaucracy will it be the party's turn: at 15 the new king will be proclaimed by Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, from the balcony of Christiansborg Palace.

Frederik X of Denmark won't have a coronation: here's why

Unlike the United Kingdom, in Denmark sovereigns have no longer been crowned for centuries, but simply proclaimed. Frederik

2.The timing: Margrethe II notified the family only three days before

Neither Prince Frederik nor the other members of the royal family knew that the queen had decided to abdicate, at least not well in advance. Margrethe II communicated the news to the Danes and the world on December 31, during the traditional New Year's speech. The heir to the throne learned that he would become king on the 28th. To confirm the indiscretion to the Danish newspaper Berlingske, was Lene Balleby, head of communications for the Royal House of Denmark.

Margrethe II announced her abdication on 31 December 2023 ©Getty Images.

KELD NAVNTOFT/Getty Images

3. The primacy

Margrethe II leaves after 52 years of reign and hers is the first abdication of a Danish ruler in 900 years. We will remember her how “the last queen”. With the accession to the throne of the son they will be all men the sovereigns of Europe, unlike the next generation which will instead see a predominance of female quotas at the top of most of the royal houses: Sweden, Norway, Luxembourg, Spain and the Netherlands.

4.The great absentees: Prince Joachim's family

Joachim of Denmark, Margrethe II's youngest son, will be present at his brother's accession to the throne, while his wife will remain in Washington Marie Cavallier and children Henrik and Athena. The official reason is the children's school, although no one in the family has yet forgotten the “downgrading” of children, from whom his grandmother took away the title of Royal Highness in 2022. Perhaps also the presence of the prince's eldest sons, Nikolai and Felix, born from his first marriage to Alexandra Manley.

Joachim of Denmark will be present at his brother Frederik's accession to the throne, but without wife or children

The prince's wife and children will remain in Washington, where they have been living for several months. The official reason is the children's school, even if no one in the family has yet swallowed the “downgrading” of Joachim's four children by their grandmother

5.Jane Donaldson, the sister of the future Queen Mary

Supporting Frederik X on his most important day is his wife Mary, who will assume the title of queen. Alongside the new royal consort, her older sister Jane, who arrived specially from Australia for the occasion. The family of the first Australian queen in history (another first for the Danish royal family) has never missed important occasions; Jane and her other sister, Patricia, were Mary's bridesmaids at her wedding to Frederik in 2004.

Princess Mary's sisters at the 2004 royal wedding ©Getty Images.

Sean Gallup/Getty Images

6.Christian, the new crown prince (and the curiosity of names)

Having turned eighteen last October 15, the eldest son of Freferik and Mary of Denmark will officially become the new “Crown Prince”, as the Nordic monarchies define the heir to the throne. After having sworn on the Constitution and having joined the Council of State, in the coming years he will be increasingly on the front line alongside his parents, as expected from his role. A future already written, as his grandmother reminded him when he became of age. One day it will be up to him to take the place of his father, with the name of Christian XI. With him, the parents wanted to respect a century-old tradition: the firstborn of every Danish king has been called either Christian or Frederik since 1513. Another little royal curiosity.

The new life of Christian of Denmark, just “promoted” to first heir to the Danish throne

The eighteen-year-old prince, who until now had led an almost “normal” life between studies and loves, became first in line of succession with the abdication of his grandmother Queen Margaret II. And in all likelihood he will have to play an increasingly active role at court