Meet Crown Prince Frederik X, the soon-to-be King of Denmark

Prince Frederik X will take over from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who recently announced her retirement

Web Desk

January 12, 2024

Prince Frederik has come out in support of his mother, Queen Margrethe, on her decision to strip four of her grandchildrens royal titles.—Reuters — Prince Frederik has come out in support of his mother, Queen Margrethe, on her decision to strip four of her grandchildren's royal titles.—Reuters

Copenhagen is abuzz with anticipation as Crown Prince Frederik, a versatile individual with a passion for sports, military service, and environmental issues, prepares to ascend the throne as King Frederik X.

As Denmark's soon-to-be monarch, the 55-year-old royal is set to break with tradition, taking over from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who recently announced her retirement after an impressive 52-year reign.

Denmarks Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary attend the New Years reception for officers from the Armed Forces and the National Emergency Management Agency, as well as invited representatives of major national organizations and the royal patronage, at Christiansborg Castle in Copenhagen, Denmark January 4, 2024. —Reuters — Denmark's Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary attend the New Year's reception for officers from the Armed Forces and the National Emergency Management Agency, as well as invited representatives of major national organizations and the royal patronage, at Christiansborg Castle in Copenhagen, Denmark January 4, 2024. —Reuters

Despite initial reservations during his teenage years about the challenges of being in the public eye, Crown Prince Frederik embraced his destiny. In a 1996 interview, he candidly expressed his early discomfort, stating: "You knew you were going to be so public, so known, so accessible to everyone and so depicted. I didn’t like that."

However, over time, he grew more at ease with his role as heir to the throne and dedicated himself to preparing for the responsibilities that lay ahead.

Born on May 26, 1968, as the first child of Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik, Crown Prince Frederik earned his nickname "Pingo" due to a memorable incident during military training.

] Denmarks Queen Margrethe delivers a speech as she stands next to Danish Crown Princess Mary, Spains King Felipe, Spains Queen Letizia and Danish Crown Prince Frederik during the State Banquet at Christiansborg Castle in Copenhagen, Denmark, November 6, 2023. —Reuters — ] Denmark's Queen Margrethe delivers a speech as she stands next to Danish Crown Princess Mary, Spain's King Felipe, Spain's Queen Letizia and Danish Crown Prince Frederik during the State Banquet at Christiansborg Castle in Copenhagen, Denmark, November 6, 2023. —Reuters

As a frogman in an elite naval unit, he waddled like a penguin when his wetsuit was filled with water, a story he shared in a 2010 interview.

Frederik's educational journey took him to Aarhus University, where he earned a master's degree in political science, including two semesters at Harvard University.

His multilingual abilities in Danish, English, French, and German showcase his dedication to effective communication on the international stage.

With a strong interest in climate change and environmental matters, King Frederik X, much like Britain's King Charles III, has demonstrated a commitment to addressing global challenges.

His diplomatic experiences at the Danish Embassy in Paris and Denmark’s UN mission in New York have further shaped his perspectives.

Known for his informal and down-to-earth demeanour, Frederik has seamlessly blended into Danish society. Whether participating in marathons, an Ironman triathlon, or engaging in a dog-sled expedition in northern Greenland, he exhibits a keen interest in physical pursuits.

His approachability is evident as he occasionally rides bicycles with bodyguards in tow and interacts casually with the public.

As the transition unfolds, Crown Prince Frederik X brings a contemporary and approachable style to the monarchy, reflecting his commitment to connecting with people on a personal level.

While his formal speeches may differ from Queen Margrethe's astute deliveries, his informal charm and engagement with regular citizens have endeared him to the Danish populace.