A frogman is someone who is trained in scuba diving or swimming underwater in a tactical capacity that includes military , and in some European countries, police work. Such personnel are also known by the more formal names of combat diver , combatant diver , or combat swimmer . The word frogman first arose in the stage name the "Fearless Frogman" of Paul Boyton in the 1870s and later was claimed by John Spence , an enlisted member of the U.S. Navy and member of the OSS Maritime Unit , to have been applied to him while he was training in a green waterproof suit.
101-569: Queen Margrethe II Frederik X (Frederik André Henrik Christian, pronounced [ˈfʁeðˀʁek] born 26 May 1968) is King of Denmark . He acceded to the throne following his mother's abdication on 14 January 2024. Frederik is the eldest son of Queen Margrethe II and Prince Henrik . He was born during the reign of his maternal grandfather, King Frederik IX , and became Crown Prince of Denmark following his mother's accession in 1972. He
202-524: A destroyer and an oil tanker , but all six frogmen were captured. Frogmen were deployed by stealth in Algeciras , Spain, from where they launched a number of limpet-mine attacks on Allied shipping at anchor off Gibraltar. Some time later they refitted the interned Italian tanker Olterra as a mothership for human torpedoes, carrying out three assaults on ships at Gibraltar between late 1942 and early 1943, sinking six of them. Nazi Germany raised
303-512: A scenographer , a costume designer , and an illustrator of works by J. R. R. Tolkien . Support for the monarchy in Denmark , alongside her personal popularity, gradually rose throughout the course of her reign, attaining around eighty percent by the time of her abdication. She was succeeded by her elder son, Frederik X. Margrethe was born on 16 April 1940 at 10:10 CET at Frederik VIII's Palace , in her parents' residence at Amalienborg ,
404-622: A Marine landing. The mission resulted in several of the SEALs becoming ill as Somalia's waters were contaminated with raw sewage. In 1978, the U.S. Navy Special Operations Officer (1140) community was established by combining Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and Expendable Ordnance Management officers with Diving and Salvage officers. Special Ops Officers would become qualified in at lease two functional areas - normally EOD or Diving and Salvage, and Expendable Ordnance management. Officers trained in diving and salvage techniques were now allowed to follow
505-857: A copy called the Chariot and formed a unit called the Experimental Submarine Flotilla , which later merged with the Special Boat Service . A number of Chariot operations were attempted, most notably Operation Title in October 1942, an attack on the German battleship Tirpitz , which had to be abandoned when a storm hit the fishing boat which was towing the Chariots into position. Operation Principal in January 1943
606-753: A diver with closed circuit oxygen rebreathing equipment will stay within a depth limit of 20 feet (6.1 m) with limited deeper excursions to a maximum of 50 feet (15 m) because of the risk of seizure due to acute oxygen toxicity. The use of nitrox or mixed gas rebreathers can extend this depth range considerably, but this may be beyond the scope of operations, depending on the unit. US and UK forces use these official definitions for mission descriptors: Anti-frogman techniques are security methods developed to protect watercraft, ports and installations, and other sensitive resources both in or nearby vulnerable waterways from potential threats or intrusions by frogmen. Frogmen on clandestine operations use rebreathers , as
707-664: A heart attack and was admitted to the Copenhagen Municipal Hospital . Margrethe was then designated acting regent the following day. The king died on 14 January, and Margrethe succeeded to the throne at the age of 31, becoming the first female Danish sovereign under the new Act of Succession. She was proclaimed Queen from the balcony of Christiansborg Palace the following day by Prime Minister Jens Otto Krag . She chose to be known as Margrethe II ;– the regnal number taken in recognition of
808-554: A levée was held for officers from the Defence and the Danish Emergency Management Agency, the I., II. and III. ranking classes as well as invited representatives of major national organisations and the royal patronages. Up to the end of her reign, Margrethe held 72 Danish and 8 foreign patronages as queen, including Aarhus Festuge , ARoS Aarhus Kunstmuseum , DaneAge Association , Danes Worldwide ,
909-518: A meeting of the Council of State . After succeeding to the throne, he was proclaimed king from the balcony of Christiansborg Palace by Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen as has been the custom for Danish monarchs since the introduction of the constitutional monarchy in 1849. His motto is Forbundne, forpligtet, for Kongeriget Danmark (English: "United, committed, for the Kingdom of Denmark"),
1010-681: A number of frogmen units under the auspices of both the Kriegsmarine and the Abwehr , often relying on Italian expertise and equipment. In June 1944, a K-Verband frogman unit failed to destroy the bridge at Bénouville , now known as Pegasus Bridge , during the Battle of Normandy . In March 1945, a frogman squad from the Brandenburgers was deployed from their base in Venice to destroy
1111-646: A number of honours. One of the more surprising honors he has received is the special honor from the Danish Red Cross. Normally, this accolade is only given to former presidents of the Danish Red Cross, but a special exception was made for the king on this occasion. Margrethe II Queen Margrethe II Margrethe II ( Danish: [mɑˈkʁeˀtə] ; Margrethe Alexandrine Þórhildur Ingrid, born 16 April 1940)
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#17327824065571212-543: A precursor of the modern diving rebreather. For this new way of underwater diving, the Italian frogmen trained in La Spezia , Liguria , using the newly available Genoese free diving spearfishing equipment; diving mask , snorkel , swimfins , and rubber dry suit , the first specially made diving watch (the luminescent Panerai ), and the new A.R.O. scuba unit. This was a revolutionary alternative way to dive, and
1313-419: A referendum, which occurred on 27 March 1953. The new Act of Succession permitted female succession to the throne of Denmark, according to male-preference cognatic primogeniture , where a female can ascend to the throne only if she does not have a brother. Princess Margrethe therefore became heir presumptive . In 2009, the law of succession was modified into absolute primogeniture. Margrethe attended
1414-575: A special interest in scientific research, climate change, and sustainability. For his commitment to sustainability, he was interviewed by the Financial Times and CNN International 's Future Cities program. He participated in expeditions, forums and events on climate. The prince has represented Denmark as a promoter of sustainable Danish energy. The prince was one of the authors of the Kongelig Polartokt (Polar Cruise Royal), about
1515-462: A thousand prisoners were taken, including the Byzantine admiral, Niketas, with many of his officers, as well as a heavy Indian sword which bore an inscription indicating that it had once belonged to Muhammad . The Hungarian Chronicon Pictum claims that Henry III 's 1052 invasion of Hungary was defeated by a skillful diver who sabotaged Henry's supply fleet. The unexpected sinking of the ships
1616-596: A translation of the word frogman in their official names, e.g., Denmark's Frømandskorpset ; others call themselves "combat divers" or similar. Tactical diving is a branch of professional diving carried out by armed forces and tactical units. They may be divided into: These groups may overlap, and the same men may serve as assault divers and work divers, such as the Australian Clearance Diving Branch (RAN) . The range of operations performed by these operatives includes: Typically,
1717-414: A year after the wedding, Margrethe gave birth to her first child, a son, on 26 May 1968. By tradition, Danish kings were alternately named either Frederik or Christian. She chose to maintain this by assuming the position of a Christian, and thus named her elder son Frederik . The following year, a second child, named Joachim , was born on 7 June 1969. In 1974, she and Henrik purchased Château de Cayx in
1818-518: Is a member of the Danish royal family who reigned as Queen of Denmark from 14 January 1972 until her abdication on 14 January 2024. Having reigned for exactly 52 years, she was the second-longest reigning Danish monarch after Christian IV . She is also the world's most recent female reigning monarch. Margrethe was born into the House of Glücksburg , a cadet branch of the House of Oldenburg , during
1919-623: Is a patron and honorary member of various sports organizations, and a former member of the International Olympic Committee . He also promotes an active lifestyle in society. Frederik is an avid sportsman, running marathons in Copenhagen, New York, and Paris, and completing the 42 kilometers with a respectable time of 3 hours, 22 minutes and 50 seconds in the Copenhagen Marathon. In 2013, he completed
2020-625: Is confirmed by German chronicles. On 4 November 1918, during World War I, Italian frogmen sunk the Austro-Hungarian ship Viribus Unitis . Italy started World War II with a commando frogman force already trained. Britain, Germany, the United States, and the Soviet Union started commando frogman forces during World War II. The word frogman appeared first in the stage name The Fearless Frogman of Paul Boyton , who since
2121-462: Is described: "They would dive from their own ship and swim over to the enemy ship; they would fasten ropes to its rudder, along which earthenware pots containing Greek fire were then made to slide over to the enemy ship, and shattered on the sternpost." Apparently, this tactic succeeded in destroying many Byzantine vessels, and the battle ended in a major Fatimid victory; according to the Arab historians,
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#17327824065572222-539: Is fluent in French (his father's language), English, and German. In the autumn of 1989, Frederik began studying political science at Aarhus University . As part of his education, he spent the 1992–1993 academic year at Harvard University , where he studied political science under the name Frederik Henriksen. Whilst at Harvard, he participated in the Phoenix – SK Club , and lived in a rent-controlled apartment. Frederik
2323-646: Is mentioned by Aristotle (4th century BC). The earliest descriptions of frogmen in war are found in Thucydides ' History of the Peloponnesian War . The first instance was in 425 BC, when the Athenian fleet besieged the Spartans on the small island of Sphacteria. The Spartans managed to get supplies from the mainland by underwater swimmers towing submerged sacks of supplies. In another incident of
2424-522: Is the first Danish royal to complete a university education. Frederik took up a position for three months with the Danish UN mission in New York in 1994. In 1995, he obtained his MSc degree in political science from Aarhus University . He completed the course in the prescribed number of years with an exam result above average, thus becoming the first royal to obtain a master's degree. His final paper
2525-690: The 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney . They married on 14 May 2004 at Copenhagen Cathedral . They have four children: Christian , Isabella , Vincent and Josephine . Frederik was born by emergency caesarean section at Rigshospitalet , the Copenhagen University Hospital in Copenhagen , on 26 May 1968 at 23:50 to the then Princess Margrethe (later Queen Margrethe II), oldest daughter of King Frederik IX and heir presumptive to
2626-560: The 2016 Summer Olympics following allegations of state-sponsored doping. On 19 June 2017, the Crown Prince announced that he would continue another term of 8 years. However, in 2021, Frederik was announced that he would step down as an active member of the International Olympic Committee at the committee's annual session prior to the 2020 Summer Olympics , citing a wish to intensify his everyday work as
2727-706: The Auto Respiratore ad Ossigeno (A.R.O), a development of the Dräger oxygen self-contained breathing apparatus designed for the mining industry and of the Davis Submerged Escape Apparatus made by Siebe, Gorman & Co and by Bergomi, designed for escaping from sunken submarines. This was used from about 1920 for spearfishing by Italian sport divers, modified and adapted by the Italian navy engineers for safe underwater use and built by Pirelli and SALVAS from about 1933, and so became
2828-700: The Danish Animal Welfare Society [ da ] , the Danish Cancer Society [ da ] , Den Gamle By , Det Classenske Fideicommis , the Danish Bible Society [ da ] , Det Kongelige Vajsenhus , Diakonissestiftelsen , Foreningen Norden , Land of Legends (Sagnlandet Lejre) , M/S Maritime Museum of Denmark , Moesgaard Museum , National Olympic Committee and Sports Confederation of Denmark , Nyborg Slot , Rebild National Park ,
2929-599: The Danish Parliament , representatives of official Denmark and the Royal Court at Christian VIII's Palace at Amalienborg . On day two, a levée was held at Christian VIII's Palace for the justices of Supreme Court of Denmark and the Officer Corps of The Royal Life Guards and The Guard Hussar Regiment , followed by a levée at Christiansborg Palace for the diplomatic corps . On day three,
3030-412: The Danish political parties . Each party has the choice of selecting a royal investigator to lead these negotiations or alternatively, give the incumbent prime minister the mandate to continue his or her government as is. In theory each party could choose its own leader as royal investigator, as the social liberal Det Radikale Venstre did in 2006, but often only one royal investigator is chosen plus
3131-564: The Faroe Islands and Greenland . In November 2024 the Royal Court announced that the King had decided to phase out the system of granting companies royal warrants , which has been extant in Denmark since the 19th century. The motivation was that a system in which companies can claim special recognition from the royal house wasn’t keeping with the times. All warrants and similar titles are to be phased out by 31 December 2029. Frederik has
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3232-592: The Ludendorff Bridge over the Rhine which had been captured by the US Army in the Battle of Remagen . Seven frogmen swam 17 kilometres (11 mi) downriver to the bridge carrying explosives, but were spotted by Canal Defence Lights . Four died, two from hypothermia , and the rest were captured. The British Royal Navy had captured an Italian human torpedo during a failed attack on Malta; they developed
3333-694: The Office of Strategic Services (OSS) (after already being rejected by the U.S. Navy) in a pool at a hotel in Washington D.C. OSS not only bought into the concept, they hired Lambertsen to lead the program and build up the dive element of their Maritime Unit . The OSS was the predecessor of the Central Intelligence Agency ; the maritime element still exists inside the CIA's Special Activities Division . John Spence , an enlisted member of
3434-602: The Paramount Studios , where they met several celebrities, including Dean Martin , Jerry Lewis and Elvis Presley . She paid her first visit to the Faroe Islands in 1959, alongside her parents and sisters, and to Greenland in 1960. While Margrethe studied in London, she met the French diplomat, Henri de Laborde de Monpezat , who was legation secretary at the French Embassy in London. Their engagement
3535-545: The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment , an infantry regiment of the British Army , following a tradition dating back to 1906 when Edward VII , married to Alexandra of Denmark , appointed his brother-in-law, Frederik VIII of Denmark , colonel-in-chief of the then Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment) . As sovereign , Margrethe received 42 official state visits and she undertook 55 foreign state visits herself. She and
3636-582: The Royal Danish Academy of Music , Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters , Royal Danish Yacht Club , Rungstedlund Foundation [ da ] , Sankt Lukas Stiftelsen , Vallø stift and Vemmetofte . A pillar of her reign was an intricate knowledge of and connection to all parts of the Danish Realm . In 2016, she contributed to a book about Denmark's history. Until her abdication, Margrethe served as colonel-in-chief of
3737-651: The Sorbonne in 1963, and was at the London School of Economics in 1965. She is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London . At the time of her birth, only males could ascend the throne of Denmark, owing to the changes in succession laws enacted in the 1850s when the Glücksburg branch was chosen to succeed. As Margrethe had no brothers, it was assumed that her uncle Prince Knud would one day assume
3838-697: The U.S. invasion of Panama , a team of four U.S. Navy SEALs using rebreathers conducted a combat swimmer attack on the Presidente Porras , a gunboat and yacht belonging to Manuel Noriega . The commandos attached explosives to the vessel as it was tied to a pier in the Panama Canal , escaping only after being attacked with grenades. Three years later during Operation Restore Hope , members of SEAL Team One swam to shore in Somalia to measure beach composition, water depth, and shore gradient ahead of
3939-449: The guest workers and their families (...) Then we come with our 'Danish humour' and little cocky remarks. Then we meet them with coolness, and then it is not far to harassment and rougher methods – we cannot allow that. If we want the new year to be better than the old, then here is a good place to start. The term "cocky remarks" ( dumsmarte bemærkninger , lit. ' dumb-slick remarks ' ) has since become an integrated part of
4040-569: The 14th century Danish regent, Margrethe , who was publicly known as "Queen Margrethe" despite never being crowned. The Queen chose the motto : "God's help, the love of the people, Denmark's strength" (Danish: Guds hjælp, folkets kærlighed, Danmarks styrke ). She relinquished all the monarch's former titles except the title to Denmark , hence her style " By the Grace of God , Queen of Denmark" (Danish: Margrethe den Anden, af Guds Nåde Danmarks Dronning ). The Queen's main tasks were to represent
4141-520: The 1870s broke records in long distance swimming to demonstrate a newly invented rubber immersion suit , with an inflated hood. The first modern frogmen were the World War II Italian commando frogmen of Decima Flottiglia MAS (now "ComSubIn": Comando Raggruppamento Subacquei e Incursori Teseo Tesei ) which formed in 1938 and was first in action in 1940. Originally these divers were called " Uomini Gamma " because they were members of
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4242-569: The 1982 Falklands War , the Argentinian Naval Intelligence Service planned an attack on British warships at Gibraltar. Code named Operation Algeciras , three frogmen, recruited from a former anti-government insurgent group, were to plant mines on the ships' hulls. The operation was abandoned when the divers were arrested by Spanish police and deported. In 1985, the French nuclear weapons tests at Moruroa in
4343-468: The 40th year on the throne, on 14 January 2012. This was marked by a church service, concert, carriage procession, gala banquet at Christiansborg Palace and numerous TV interviews. The Queen's Golden Jubilee was marked on 14 January 2022, with celebrations to take place later in the year. In September, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, it was announced by
4444-525: The British harbour at Gibraltar , where using human torpedoes to penetrate the defences, sank three merchant ships before escaping through neutral Spain. An even more successful attack, the Raid on Alexandria , was mounted on 19 December on the harbour at Alexandria , again using human torpedoes. The raid resulted in disabling the battleships HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Valiant together with
4545-671: The Council of State ( privy council ), where the acts of legislation which have been passed by the parliament are signed into law. In practice, nearly all of the Queen's formal powers were exercised by the Cabinet of Denmark . It was customary for Margrethe, as the Danish monarch, to host the annual New Year levées . Every year on 1 January, a banquet was held for the government, the Speaker of
4646-537: The Danes in general have underestimated the difficulties involved in successful integration of immigrants, exemplified with the rules of a democracy not being clarified to Muslim immigrants and a lack of readiness to enforce those rules. This was received as a change in line with the attitude of the Danish people. Margrethe marked her Silver Jubilee in 1997 with a religious service and a gala dinner attended by fellow Scandinavian royals. She celebrated her Ruby Jubilee ,
4747-559: The Danish court disclosed in a press release that the Queen had contracted COVID-19 . On 13 February, the Queen was able to leave home isolation after having had a mild case of the virus. On 21 September 2022, the Danish Royal House disclosed in a press release that Margrethe had tested positive for COVID-19 a second time after attending the state funeral of Elizabeth II , her third cousin, in London. She left home isolation again on 26 September and resumed her official duties immediately, stating that she felt fine. On 22 February 2023,
4848-477: The Danish newspaper B.T. printed an announcement from the Royal Court that the Queen would henceforth smoke only in private. In September 2024, she was hospitalised after falling in Fredensborg Castle . Frogman The term frogman is occasionally used to refer to a civilian scuba diver, such as in a police diving role. In the United Kingdom, police divers have often been called "police frogmen". Some countries' tactical diver organizations include
4949-513: The Danish throne, and Prince Henrik . At the time of his birth, his maternal grandfather was on the throne of Denmark and his matrilineal great-grandfather, Gustaf VI Adolf , was on the throne of Sweden. He was baptised on 24 June 1968, at Holmen Church , in Copenhagen. He was named Frederik after his maternal grandfather, King Frederik IX, continuing the Danish royal tradition of the heir apparent being named either Frederik or Christian. He became Crown Prince of Denmark when his mother ascended to
5050-468: The Danish vocabulary. In an interview within the 2016 book De dybeste rødder ( The Deepest Roots ), according to historians at the Saxo Institute of the University of Copenhagen , Margrethe showed a change in attitude to immigration towards a more conservative stance. She stated that the Danish people should have more explicitly clarified the rules and values of Danish culture in order to be able to teach them to new arrivals. She further stated that
5151-818: The Institute of Strategy at the Royal Danish Defence College. During a Council of State on 8 October 2003, Queen Margrethe gave her consent to the marriage of Crown Prince Frederik to Mary Elizabeth Donaldson , an Australian marketing consultant whom the prince had met while attending the Sydney Olympics in 2000 . Their wedding took place on 14 May 2004 at Copenhagen Cathedral , Copenhagen. The couple have four children: Christian (born 15 October 2005), Isabella (born 21 April 2007), and twins Vincent and Josephine (born 8 January 2011). Queen Margrethe II announced her abdication during her annual live broadcast New Year's Eve address on 31 December 2023. Frederik succeeded her as King of Denmark on 14 January 2024, after Margrethe formally signed an instrument of abdication during
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#17327824065575252-417: The International Olympic Committee, as is sworn upon election to the committee. The Crown Prince was given special observer status in National Olympic Committee and Sports Confederation of Denmark , as a way to allow him to work, without having political power. Frederik announced that his point of focus and reason for joining the International Olympic Committee is to promote an active lifestyle among youth. He
5353-508: The KMD Ironman Copenhagen in the time of 10:45:32 and is the first royal person to complete an Ironman. Frederik is a keen sailor, being a competitive Farr 40 skipper as well as an accomplished Dragon boater. At the 2003 Dragon European Championship , where 51 boats participated, the Prince and his crew had been leading after four out of six races; they finished in fourth place. At the 2008 Farr 40 World Championship with 33 boats participating, Frederik and his crew also took fourth place. He
5454-431: The Kingdom abroad and to be a unifying figure at home. She performed the latter by opening exhibitions, attending anniversaries and inaugurating bridges, among other things. She received foreign ambassadors and awards, honours and medals. As a constitutional sovereign, Margrethe took no part in party politics and does not express any political opinions. Although she had the right to vote, she opted not to do so to avoid even
5555-412: The Pacific Ocean was being contested by environmental protesters led by the Greenpeace campaign ship, Rainbow Warrior . The Action Division of the French Directorate-General for External Security devised a plan to sink the Rainbow Warrior while it was berthed in harbor at Auckland in New Zealand . Two divers from the Division posed as tourists and attached two limpet mines to the ship's hull;
5656-595: The Queen addressed the xenophobia experienced by many immigrants in Denmark: We have the peace, the free political life and social relations that make our country a sought-after haven for many. Refugees from very different backgrounds come here, sometimes injured in both mind and body. We welcome them and are probably also a little proud that they have chosen our little paradise, but when we see them fumbling with our way of life and our language, hospitality becomes difficult all too quickly, and disappointment sets in on both sides. There are also others who have felt that, namely
5757-446: The Queen underwent "major back surgery" at Rigshospitalet due to continued back pain. In a statement the following day, a representative for the Queen said that the surgery had gone well and that she had already been up for a walk. She was discharged from the hospital on 2 March, and returned from sick leave on her birthday on 16 April. Margrethe has been a chain smoker and is well known for her tobacco habit. On 23 November 2006,
5858-515: The Royal House that it was "Her Majesty The Queen's wish that a number of adjustments be made" to the upcoming celebrations. Between Elizabeth II's death and her abdication, Margrethe was Europe's longest-reigning monarch, the world's only queen regnant , and the longest-serving incumbent female head of state. In July 2023, the Danish Royal House recognized Margrethe II as Denmark's longest reigning sitting monarch. Though Christian IV reigned for over 59 years between 1588 and 1648, he
5959-701: The U.S. Navy, was the first man selected to join the OSS group. In April 1956, Commander Lionel Crabb , a wartime pioneer of Royal Navy combat diving, disappeared during a covert inspection of the hull of the Soviet Navy Sverdlov -class cruiser , Ordzhonikidze , while she was moored in Portsmouth Harbour . The Shayetet 13 commandos of the Israeli Navy have carried out a number of underwater raids on harbors. They were initially trained by veterans of Xª MAS and used Italian equipment. As part of Operation Raviv in 1969, eight frogmen used two human torpedoes to enter Ras Sadat naval base near Suez , where they destroyed two motor torpedo boats with mines. During
6060-406: The age of retirement. The Crown Prince's candidature was met with some skepticism in Denmark, as it would mean that the Crown Prince would be on a semi-political committee along with several people who are suspected or even convicted of criminal acts. Another concern was whether or not the Crown Prince's loyalty would be towards his country and government, as the Danish constitution prescribes, or with
6161-404: The appearance of partisanship. The Queen held a meeting with the prime minister and the foreign affairs minister every Wednesday, unless either she or the prime minister was outside of the kingdom . After an election where the incumbent prime minister does not have a majority behind him or her, the Queen held a " Dronningerunde " (Queen's meeting) in which she met the chairmen of each of
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#17327824065576262-556: The beginning of Nazi Germany 's occupation of Denmark following the war invasion . Princess Margrethe was baptised on 14 May in the Holmen Church in Copenhagen. Her godparents were her grandfathers, King Christian X of Denmark and Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf of Sweden; her maternal great-grandfathers, King Gustaf V of Sweden and Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn ; her uncles Prince Knud of Denmark and Prince Gustaf Adolf, Duke of Västerbotten ; as well as her first cousin twice removed, Prince Axel of Denmark . She
6363-410: The bubbles released by open-circuit scuba would reveal them to surface lookouts and make a noise which hydrophones could easily detect. A few different explanations have been given for the origin of the term frogman. In ancient Roman and Greek times, there were instances of men swimming or diving for combat, sometimes using a hollow plant stem or a long bone as a snorkel . Diving with snorkel
6464-464: The challenges of climate, published in 2009 with a preface written by Kofi Annan . In 2010, he wrote the foreword to the highschool textbook Naturen og klimaændringerne i Nordøstgrønland (Nature and climate change in Northeast Greenland ). He supports scientific research projects, as a patron, as expeditionary, with regular attendance at events and through his foundation, Kronprins Frederiks Fond . The King encourages Danish participation in sports. He
6565-550: The children, who were never expected to hold an official role within the royal family, to have normal lives, the Queen wanted "to create a framework for the four grandchildren, to a much greater degree, to be able to shape their own existence without being limited by the special considerations and obligations that a formal affiliation with the Royal House as an institution implies". Her son, Joachim, daughter-in-law, Marie , former daughter-in-law, Alexandra , and eldest grandson, Nikolai , publicly expressed shock and confusion because of
6666-417: The decision, after which Margrethe released a statement in which she said that it saddened her that she had upset Joachim's family. Along with her late husband, Margrethe has kept dachshunds since the 1970s. She currently has one dog, the dachshund Tilia, who was Prince Henrik's dog until his death in 2018. On 3 January 1972, three days after King Frederik IX delivered his New Year's address, he suffered
6767-467: The divers stable. Also, in the writings of Al-Maqrizi , it is also claimed that the naval forces of the Fatimid Caliphate , in an engagement with Byzantine forces off the coast of Messina henceforth referred to as the Battle of the Straits , employed a novel strategy with strong similarities to modern-day frogmen tactics. In the writings of Heinz Halm , who studied and translated the writings of Al-Maqrizi and other contemporary Islamic historians, it
6868-422: The duties of the head of state on certain occasions, for example during Frederik and Christian's stays abroad. Queen Margrethe II has had a number of health issues. Since the 1990s, she has undergone several operations on her right knee due to injuries and osteoarthritis . In 1994, she was treated for cervical cancer . In 2003, she underwent a 4.5 hour long operation for spinal stenosis . On 9 February 2022,
6969-431: The first diving set known as SCUBA was invented in 1939 by Christian Lambertsen , who originally called it the Lambertsen Amphibious Respirator Unit (LARU) and patented it in 1940. He later renamed it the Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus, which, contracted to SCUBA, eventually became the generic term for both open circuit and rebreather autonomous underwater breathing equipment. Lambertsen demonstrated it to
7070-404: The first motto that does not mention God since Frederik VII . On 15 January, the royal family appeared in Parliament for a ceremony marking the transition of head of state. On 21 January, the royal family attended a celebratory church service at Aarhus Cathedral , led by the Bishop of Aarhus and Royal Chaplain-in-Ordinary, Henrik Wigh-Poulsen . On 31 January 2024, Frederik visited Poland and
7171-479: The northern part of Greenland. The expedition Sirius marked the 50-year anniversary of the Sirius Patrol . Prince Frederik was part of the polar expedition as a film photographer, whose job was to ensure an optimal coverage of this event. The purpose of the foundation is to provide financial assistance to students of social policy and sciences, for one year's study at Harvard. It also provides financial support for scientific expeditions, particularly to foreign parts of
7272-498: The past. She cited her extensive back surgery in February 2023, and said that the operation made her reassess her position and consider "whether now would be an appropriate time to pass on the responsibility to the next generation". Margrethe's elder son, Frederik, assumed the throne as Frederik X . Mirroring her first New Year Address in 1973, she said of the succession: "The support and assistance which I have received throughout
7373-558: The prime minister, before each election. The leader who, at that meeting, succeeds in securing a majority of the seats in the Folketing , is, by royal decree, charged with the task of forming a new government. (No party has held an absolute majority in the Folketing since 1903.) Once the government had been formed, the Queen formally appointed it. Officially, it was the monarch who was the head of state , and she therefore presided over
7474-477: The principal residence of the Danish royal family in the district of Frederiksstaden in central Copenhagen . She was the first child of Crown Prince Frederik (later King Frederik IX) and Crown Princess Ingrid (later Queen Ingrid). Her father was the elder son of the then-reigning King Christian X , while her mother was the only daughter of Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf of Sweden (later King Gustaf VI Adolf). Her birth took place just one week after
7575-418: The reason for stepping down in the middle of his term. In celebration of his 50th birthday, on 21 May 2018, Frederik initiated a public running event across five cities in Denmark called Royal Run [ da ; de ] with more than 70,000 participants, including himself and his own family. The event was generally deemed as "exceeding expectations" by the public. The event has since become annual, and
7676-454: The reign of her paternal grandfather, King Christian X . She is the eldest child of King Frederik IX and Queen Ingrid . She became heir presumptive to her father in 1953, when a constitutional amendment allowed women to inherit the throne. In 1967, she married Henri de Laborde de Monpezat , with whom she had two sons, Frederik and Joachim . Margrethe succeeded her father upon his death in January 1972. Margrethe has worked as
7777-487: The resulting explosion sank the ship and killed a Netherlands citizen on board. Two agents from the team, but not the divers, were arrested by the New Zealand Police and later convicted of manslaughter . The French government finally admitted responsibility two months later. In the U.S. Navy, frogmen were officially phased out in 1983 and all active duty frogmen were transferred to SEAL units. In 1989, during
7878-440: The royal family have made several other foreign visits. As queen, her official residences were Amalienborg (where she resides at Christian IX's Palace ) in Copenhagen and Fredensborg Palace near Hillerød . Her summer residences were Marselisborg Palace near Aarhus and Gråsten Palace near Sønderborg , the former home of her mother, Queen Ingrid, who died in 2000. In her annual New Year's Eve address in 1984,
7979-709: The royal family in her parents' summer residence at Gråsten Palace in Southern Jutland . On 20 April 1947, following the death of Christian X, Margrethe's father ascended the throne as Frederik IX. Margrethe was educated at the private school N. Zahle's School in Copenhagen, from which she graduated in 1959. She spent a year at North Foreland Lodge , a boarding school for girls in Hampshire , England, and later studied prehistoric archaeology at Girton College, Cambridge , during 1960–1961, political science at Aarhus University between 1961 and 1962, attended
8080-593: The royal reception for the Danish Olympic and Paralympic athletes after he fractured his spine while jumping on a trampoline with his eldest son. Frederik also took part in the relay event during the 2019 IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Aarhus in March 2019. Frederik has competed in cross-country skiing ; he skied the 90 km (56 mi) Swedish Vasaloppet , the oldest cross-country ski race in
8181-584: The same war, in 415 BC, the Athenians used combat divers in the port of Syracuse, Sicily . The Syracuseans had planted vertical wooden poles in the bottom around their port, to prevent the Athenian triremes from entering. The poles were submerged, not visible above the sea level. The Athenians used various means to cut these obstacles, including divers with saws. It is believed that the underwater sawing required snorkels for breathing and diving weights to keep
8282-732: The start of the transition from the usual heavy underwater diving equipment of the hard hat divers which had been in general use since the 18th century, to self-contained divers, free of being tethered by an air line and rope connection. After Italy declared war , the Decima Flottiglia MAS ( Xª MAS ) attempted several frogmen attacks on British naval bases in the Mediterranean between June 1940 and July 1941, but none were successful, because of equipment failure or early detection by British forces. On September 10, 1941, eight Xª MAS frogmen were inserted by submarine close to
8383-524: The throne on 14 January 1972. Frederik's only sibling is Prince Joachim of Denmark . Frederik attended primary school at Krebs' Skole between 1974 and 1981, as a private pupil at Amalienborg Palace from 1974 to 1976, and from the third form again at Krebs' Skole. From 1982 to 1983, he attended the École des Roches [ fr ] , a boarding school in Normandy , France. In 1986, Frederik graduated from Øregård Gymnasium . In addition to Danish, he
8484-439: The throne. The process of changing the constitution started in 1947, not long after Margrethe's father ascended the throne and it became clear that Queen Ingrid would have no more children. The popularity of Frederik and his daughters and the more prominent role of women in Danish life started the complicated process of altering the constitution. The law required that the proposal be passed by two successive Parliaments and then by
8585-421: The top secret special unit called " Gruppo Gamma ", which originated from the kind of Pirelli rubber skin-suit nicknamed muta gamma used by these divers. Later they were nicknamed " Uomini Rana ," Italian for "frog men", because of an underwater swimming frog kick style, similar to that of frogs, or because their fins looked like frog's feet. This special corps used an early oxygen rebreather scuba set ,
8686-428: The traditional New Year Courts for the first time in 1956. On her eighteenth birthday, 16 April 1958, Margrethe was given a seat in the Council of State . She subsequently chaired the meetings of the Council in the absence of the King. In 1960, together with her first cousin, Princess Margaretha of Sweden , and Princess Astrid of Norway , she travelled to the United States, which included a visit to Los Angeles, and to
8787-540: The wine district of Cahors in Southern France . Margrethe announced in 2008 that her male-line descendants would bear the additional title of Count or Countess of Monpezat in recognition of her husband's ancestry. In 2022, the Queen announced that, from the start of 2023, the descendants of Prince Joachim will only be able to use their titles of Count and Countess of Monpezat, their previous titles of Prince and Princess of Denmark ceasing to exist. To allow
8888-522: The world, in 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015. In 2016, he completed the 54 kilometres (34 mi) Norwegian Birkebeinerrennet with Norway's Crown Prince Haakon . Also in 2016, Frederik completed the 160 km (99 mi) Arctic Circle Race [ de ; fr ; sv ] in Sisimiut , Greenland. On 9 October 2009, Crown Prince Frederik was elected a member of the International Olympic Committee , replacing former Danish member Kaj Holm, who had reached
8989-553: The world, such as Greenland and the Faroe Islands , and sports purposes, including those with a particularly social aspect. Frederik was originally styled "His Royal Highness Prince Frederik of Denmark". On the accession of his mother on 14 January 1972, he became known as "His Royal Highness The Crown Prince of Denmark". The title Count of Monpezat was added when his mother created it for her male-line descendants. Since his accession on 14 January 2024, he has been styled "His Majesty The King, Count of Monpezat". The King has received
9090-456: The years, have been crucial to the success of my task. It is my hope that the new King and Queen will be met with the same trust and devotion which have fallen to my lot." Since her abdication, Margrethe has been referred to as "Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II" or "Her Majesty Queen Margrethe". Margrethe is eligible to serve as regent in the event of the incapacity or absence of the King and Crown Prince Christian. As regent, Margrethe can perform
9191-589: Was an analysis on the foreign policy of the Baltic States, which he had visited several times during his studies. The prince was posted as First Secretary to the Danish Embassy in Paris from October 1998 to October 1999. Frederik has completed extensive military studies and training in all three services, including training as a frogman in the naval elite special operations forces Frømandskorpset . It
9292-545: Was an attack by eight Chariots on La Maddalena and Palermo harbours; although all the Chariots were lost, the new Italian cruiser Ulpio Traiano was sunk. The last and most successful British operation resulted in sinking two liners in Phuket harbour in Thailand in October 1944. Royal Navy divers did not use fins until December 1942. In 1933 Italian companies were already producing underwater oxygen rebreathers, but
9393-505: Was announced on 5 October 1966. They were married on 10 June 1967, at the Holmen Church in Copenhagen, and the wedding reception was held at Fredensborg Palace . Laborde de Monpezat received the style and title of "His Royal Highness Prince Henrik of Denmark" because of his new position as the spouse of the heir presumptive to the Danish throne. They were married for over fifty years, until his death on 13 February 2018. Less than
9494-583: Was continued in 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023. The 2020 version was cancelled due to the COVID-19 situation in Denmark. The 2024 edition took place on 20 May in Copenhagen/ Frederiksberg , Kalundborg , Fredericia , Aarhus , and Brønderslev . The Crown Prince participated in an expedition to Mongolia in 1986. In 2000, the Crown Prince participated in "Expedition Sirius 2000", which was a four-month and 2,795 km dog-sledge expedition in
9595-600: Was educated privately at home and at Krebs School , École des Roches and Øregård Gymnasium . He earned a Master of Science degree in political science from Aarhus University . After university, he served in diplomatic posts at the United Nations and in Paris . He has trained in all three branches of the Danish Armed Forces . Frederik met Australian marketing consultant Mary Donaldson while attending
9696-572: Was elected for an eight-year term, and made it clear that he would terminate his membership upon ascending the Danish throne. In 2012, Frederik carried the Olympic flame through Notting Hill , a neighbourhood in West London . In 2016, Frederik faced criticism for voting against Danish Minister for Culture Bertel Haarder and a majority in the Danish Parliament 's wishes on the subject of whether or not Russia should be allowed to compete at
9797-931: Was named Margrethe – the Danish variation of her late maternal grandmother Crown Princess Margareta of Sweden 's name – Alexandrine after her paternal grandmother, Queen Alexandrine , and Ingrid after her mother. Since her paternal grandfather was also King of Iceland at the time of her birth, she was given the Icelandic name Þórhildur. Like her maternal grandmother, Margrethe is known affectionately as "Daisy" to her family and close friends. The birth of Margrethe's younger sisters Benedikte and Anne-Marie followed in 1944 and 1946 respectively. The princesses grew up in apartments at Frederik VIII's Palace at Amalienborg in Copenhagen and in Fredensborg Palace in North Zealand . Margrethe spent summer holidays with
9898-431: Was not officially installed until 1596, ruling with a "guardian government" up until then. In her annual live broadcast New Year's Eve address on 31 December 2023, Margrethe announced her abdication, which took place on 14 January 2024, the 52nd anniversary of her accession to the throne. She said that time had taken its "toll", that her number of "ailments" had increased, and that she cannot undertake as many duties as in
9999-449: Was received by its president Andrzej Duda , in his first overseas trip as monarch. Danish monarchs traditionally travel first to another Scandinavian country , but Frederik had planned the trip prior to Margrethe's abdication. The King and Queen made their first state visits in May 2024, visiting Sweden and Norway . In June, they toured the autonomous territories of the Kingdom of Denmark,
10100-778: Was the first in his class boat in Fyn Cup 2010 in Denmark, and number 4 in the 2011 Danish Dragon Championship with 25 boats participating. In 2016, on the subject of the Olympics in Rio , Frederik told the press that he did not regret not chasing his dream to compete in the Olympics after meeting his wife. He had always thought about training and competing, but that would have required him to limit his activities and concentrate on training, instead, he put his energy into other aspects of life. In October 2016, Frederik had to cancel his appearance at
10201-481: Was there that he earned the nickname "Pingo", when his wetsuit filled with water and he was forced to waddle like a penguin. In 2001 and 2002, he completed further leadership training at the Royal Danish Defence College . Frederik remained active in the defence services, and in the period 2002–2003 served as a staff officer at Defence Command Denmark, and from 2003 as a senior lecturer with
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