85-476: This is a list of Danish monarchs , that is, the kings and queen regnants of Denmark. This includes: The House of Oldenburg held the Danish Crown between 1448 and 1863, when it passed to the house of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg , a cadet branch of the same house, patrilineally descended from King Christian III of Denmark . The kingdom had been elective (although the eldest son or brother of
170-731: 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 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
255-538: A frogman in the naval elite special operations forces Frømandskorpset . It 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
340-600: A first-born child becomes heir to the throne regardless of gender. According to the Danish Constitution , the Danish monarch, is the head of state and implicitly the commander-in-chief of the Danish Armed Forces and is the holder of executive power and, jointly with the Folketing , legislative power . The monarch has the ability to deny giving a bill royal assent as well as to choose and dismiss
425-789: A former Danish fiefdom which had been lost to Prussia during the Second War of Schleswig . According to the terms of the Treaty of Versailles , the disposition of Schleswig was to be determined by two Schleswig Plebiscites : one in Northern Schleswig (today Denmark's South Jutland County ), the other in Central Schleswig (today part of the German state of Schleswig-Holstein ). Many Danish nationalists felt that Central Schleswig should be returned to Denmark regardless of
510-600: A four-month and 2,795 km dog-sledge expedition in 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
595-485: A marriage, the monarch can impose conditions that must be met in order for any resulting offspring to have succession rights. Part II, Section 9 of the Danish Constitution of 5 June 1953 provides that the parliament will elect a king and determine a new line of succession should a situation arise where there are no eligible descendants of King Christian X and Queen Alexandrine. The monarch of Denmark must be
680-519: 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"),
765-655: A member of the Danish National Church , or Evangelical Lutheran Church of Denmark ( Danish Constitution , II,6). The National Church is by law the State Church . Although the monarch is not the head of the Church, the monarch, together with the Folketing , makes up the secular supreme authority of the Church. In that role, the monarch is requested to fulfil certain duties pertaining to the Church, such as appointing new bishops and authorising texts for use in
850-610: 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 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
935-681: A residence and work palace. These are arranged around an octagonal courtyard. Currently, Queen Margrethe resides in Christian IX's Palace and the King in Frederik VIII's Palace . Christian VIII's Palace has apartments for other members of the royal family, whereas Christian VII's Palace is used for official events and to accommodate guests. Amalienborg was originally built in the 1750s by architect Nicolai Eigtved for four noble families; however, when Christiansborg Palace burned in 1794,
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#17327733529761020-1098: A senior lecturer with 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
1105-609: A series of wars of conquest against England, which was completed by Sweyn's son Cnut the Great by the middle of the eleventh century. The reign of Cnut represented the peak of the Danish Viking age; his North Sea Empire included England (1016), Denmark (1018), Norway (1028) and held strong influence over the north-eastern coast of Germany. The last monarch descended from Valdemar IV , Christopher III of Denmark , died in 1448 AD. Count Christian of Oldenburg, descendant of Sophia,
1190-464: 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
1275-677: A yearly vacation in summer. The hunting lodge the Eremitage Palace in the Dyrehaven deer park north of Copenhagen is used during royal hunts in Dyrehaven. Finally, Sorgenfri Palace is at the disposal of the monarch. It was the residence of Hereditary Prince Knud and Hereditary Princess Caroline Mathilde and is not in official use at all at this time. Apart from these state-owned palaces, Marselisborg Palace in Aarhus
1360-582: Is Crown Prince Christian . The Danish monarchy is over 1200 years old, founded in the 8th century (or earlier). The line of kings of the modern kingdom of Denmark can be traced back to Harthacnut father of Gorm the Old ( Old Norse : Gormr gamli , Danish : Gorm den gamle ), who reigned in the early and mid 10th century. The kingdom itself though is probably a couple of hundred years older than that. The Danes were united (or more likely reunited) and officially Christianized in 965 AD by Harald Bluetooth ,
1445-444: 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 was educated privately at home and at Krebs School , École des Roches and Øregård Gymnasium . He earned
1530-634: 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
1615-602: Is difficult due to lack of strict legal or formal definition of who is or is not a member. The Queen and her siblings belong to the House of Glücksburg , a branch of the House of Oldenburg . The Queen's children and male-line descendants belong agnatically to the family de Laborde de Monpezat . The Danish royal family includes: King Frederik X Queen Margrethe II Frederik X (Frederik André Henrik Christian, pronounced [ˈfʁeðˀʁek] born 26 May 1968)
1700-606: Is important to bear in mind that the usage of the word king , in the context of exercising acts of state, is understood by Danish jurists to be read as the Government (consisting of the Prime Minister and other ministers). This is a logical consequence of articles 12, 13 and 14, all of which in essence stipulate that the powers vested in the monarch can only be exercised through ministers, who are responsible for all acts, thus removing any political or legal liability from
1785-514: Is privately owned by Queen Margrethe. It functions as the summer residence of Queen Margrethe, as well as during the Easter and Christmas holidays. In the Kingdom of Denmark all members of the ruling dynasty who hold the title Prince or Princess of Denmark are said to be members of the Danish royal family. As with other European monarchies, distinguishing who is a member of the national royal family
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#17327733529761870-526: Is used principally in Spring and Autumn. It is often the site of state visits and ceremonial events in the royal family. The palace may be visited by the public on guided tours when not in use. In Jutland , Graasten Palace is at the disposal of the monarch. It was used as the summer residence of King Frederik IX and Queen Ingrid . Since the death of Queen Ingrid in 2000, the Queen has stayed at Graasten for
1955-562: 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
2040-537: The Council of State , receptions, royal christenings, lyings-in-state and other ceremonies. Also, the Royal Stables which provide the ceremonial transport by horse-drawn carriage for the royal family, are located here. The present building, the third with this name, is the last in a series of successive castles and palaces constructed on the same site since the erection of the first castle in 1167. The palace today bears witness to three eras of architecture, as
2125-702: The Danish Parliament implemented a new Danish Law called Act on Greenlandic Self-rule, which, unlike any other case with the Indigenous Peoples around the world, acknowledges Greenlanders as a people in accordance to the International Law , and hereby giving the Greenlanders ability to obtain sovereignty . Denmark has had absolute primogeniture since 2009. The Danish Act of Succession adopted on 27 March 1953 restricts
2210-632: 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
2295-617: The First War of Schleswig against the German powers in 1848–51, Frederick appeared as "the national leader" and was regarded almost as a war hero, despite having never taken any active part in the struggles. On 5 June 1849 the constitution, known as the June Constitution, was altered to create the framework of a constitutional monarchy for Denmark. As King Frederick VII was without legitimate issue, Prince Christian of Glücksborg
2380-460: The Kingdom of Denmark . The Kingdom includes Denmark proper and the autonomous territories of the Faroe Islands and Greenland . The Kingdom of Denmark was already consolidated in the 8th century, whose rulers are consistently referred to in Frankish sources (and in some late Frisian sources) as "kings" ( reges ). Under the rule of King Gudfred in 804 the Kingdom may have included all
2465-661: The Kongelig Polartokt (Polar Cruise Royal), about 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
2550-643: The Prime Minister or any Minister of Government with or without cause; however, no monarch has exercised the latter powers since King Christian X dismissed the government on 28 March 1920, sparking the 1920 Easter Crisis . The Monarch along with the Folketing is the Head of the Church of Denmark , as well as being the head of the Danish Honors system. However, when reading the Danish Constitution of 1953, it
2635-465: The Swedish attack . Charles X Gustav suddenly died of an illness in early 1660, while planning an invasion of Norway. Following his death, Sweden made peace in the Treaty of Copenhagen . The Swedes returned Trøndelag to Norway and Bornholm to Denmark, but kept the other territories gained two years earlier. The Netherlands and other European powers accepted the settlement, not wanting both coasts of
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2720-559: The former monarch of Greece in the direct male line. The Danish monarchy is constitutional and as such, the role of the monarch is defined and limited by the Constitution of Denmark . According to the constitution, the ultimate executive authority over the government of Denmark is still by and through the monarch's royal reserve powers ; in practice these powers are only used according to laws enacted in Parliament or within
2805-492: The fount of honour to bestow new titles of nobility in Denmark. The royal palaces of Denmark became property of the state with the introduction of the constitutional monarchy in 1849. Since then, a varying number of these have been put at the disposal of the monarchy. The agreement on which is renewed at the accession of every new monarch. The monarch has the use of the four palaces at Amalienborg in Copenhagen as
2890-487: The Øresund strait controlled by Denmark. This treaty established the boundaries between Norway, Denmark, and Sweden that still exist today. Absolutism was introduced in 1660–1661 and the elective monarchy was de jure transformed into an hereditary monarchy . An official absolutist constitution, where absolute power and male primogeniture succession was laid down in the King's Law (Lex Regia) of 1665. When he succeeded to
2975-663: 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 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
3060-414: The 8th century and onwards. Danish and Nordic legendary stories, chronicles and sagas often have accounts of Danish kings and dynasties stretching further back in time than the 7th century, but the historicity of the content and interpretations of these stories are often put to doubt. Monarchy of Denmark The monarchy of Denmark is a constitutional institution and a historic office of
3145-554: The Church. Christian, Crown Prince of Denmark has been the heir apparent to the Danish throne since 14 January 2024, following the abdication of his grandmother, Margrethe II , and the ascension of his father, King Frederik X . The first law governing the succession to the Danish throne as a hereditary monarchy was the Kongeloven ( Latin : Lex Regia ), enacted 14 November 1665, and published in 1709. It declared that
3230-511: The Crown of Denmark. This difference caused problems when Frederick VII of Denmark proved childless, making a change in dynasty imminent, and causing the lines of succession for the duchies on one hand and for Denmark on the other to diverge. That meant that the new King of Denmark would not also be the new Duke of Schleswig or Duke of Holstein. To ensure the continued adhesion of the Elbe duchies to
3315-515: The Danish Crown (i.e. members of the dynasties of Greece, Norway and the United Kingdom) do not thereby forfeit their royalty in Denmark, nor are they bound to obtain prior permission to travel abroad or to marry from its sovereign, although since 1950 those not descended in male-line from King Christian IX are no longer in the line of succession to the Danish throne. However, those who do reside in Denmark or its territories continue to require
3400-555: The Danish Crown, the line of succession to the duchies was modified in the London Protocol of 1852, which designated Prince Christian IX of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg , as the new heir apparent , although he was, strictly, the heir neither to the Crown of Denmark nor to the Duchies of Schleswig, Holstein or Lauenburg by primogeniture. Originally, the Danish prime minister Christian Albrecht Bluhme wanted to keep
3485-483: The Danish Royal Family are related to most other reigning European dynasties. The Easter Crisis of 1920 was a constitutional crisis which began with the dismissal of the elected government by King Christian X , a reserve power which was granted to him by the Danish constitution . The immediate cause was a conflict between the king and the cabinet over the reunification with Denmark of Schleswig ,
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3570-498: 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
3655-641: 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
3740-642: The Second Northern War was not yet over. Three months after the peace treaty was signed, Charles X Gustav held a council of war where he decided to simply wipe Denmark from the map and unite all of Scandinavia under his rule. Once again the Swedish army arrived outside Copenhagen. However, this time the Danes did not panic or surrender. Instead, they decided to fight and prepared to defend Copenhagen. Frederick III had stayed in his capital and now encouraged
3825-408: 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
3910-623: The articles in this law, all except for Article 21 and Article 25 have since been repealed. Article 21 states "No Prince of the Blood, who resides here in the Realm and in Our territory, shall marry, or leave the Country, or take service under foreign Masters, unless he receives Permission from the King". Under this provision, princes of Denmark who permanently reside in other realms by express permission of
3995-570: The citizens of Copenhagen to resist the Swedes, by saying he would "die in his nest", rather than to evacuate to safety in Norway. Furthermore, this unprovoked declaration of war by Sweden finally triggered the alliance that Denmark–Norway had with the Netherlands, and a powerful Dutch fleet was sent to Copenhagen with vital supplies and reinforcements, which saved the city from being captured during
4080-579: The constraints of convention. The monarch is, in practice, limited to non-partisan functions such as bestowing honours and formally appointing the prime minister . The monarch and their immediate family undertake various official, ceremonial, diplomatic and representational duties. King Frederik X ascended the throne following the abdication of his mother, Queen Margrethe II , on 14 January 2024. Danish regnal names have traditionally (since 1513) alternated between "Frederik" (anglicised to Frederick ) and "Christian". Accordingly, Frederik's heir apparent
4165-669: 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 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
4250-491: The crown of Denmark shall descend by heredity to the legitimate descendants of King Frederick III , and that the order of succession shall follow semi-Salic primogeniture , according to which the crown is inherited by an heir, with preference among the Monarch's children to males over females; among siblings to the elder over the younger; and among Frederick III's remoter descendants by substitution, senior branches over junior branches. Female descendants were eligible to inherit
4335-413: The daughter of Valdemar IV's aunt Richeza of Denmark, Lady of Werle , who was the daughter of Eric V of Denmark , was chosen as his successor and became the next monarch of Denmark, ruling under the name Christian I . Richeza thus can be considered as a sort of female founder of the House of Oldenburg . Originally the Danish monarchy was elective, but in practice the eldest son of the reigning monarch
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#17327733529764420-433: The defender. Secondly, the Belts froze over in a rare occurrence during the winter of 1657–1658, allowing King Charles X Gustav of Sweden to lead his armies across the ice to invade Zealand . In the following Treaty of Roskilde , Denmark–Norway capitulated and gave up all of Eastern Denmark (i.e. Skåne , Halland , Blekinge and Bornholm ), in addition to the counties of Bohuslän and Trøndelag in Norway. But
4505-412: The first democratic constitution, replacing the vast majority of the old absolutist constitution . The current Royal House is a branch of the ducal House of Glücksburg , originally from Schleswig-Holstein in modern-day Germany, the House of Glücksburg itself being a collateral branch of the House of Oldenburg . The House of Glücksburg also produced the monarchs of Norway , of the United Kingdom and
4590-407: 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
4675-461: The king and members of the Social Democrats . Faced with the potential overthrow of the Danish monarchy, Christian X backed down and dismissed his own government. This was the most recent time that a sitting Danish monarch made an executive decision without the support of a cabinet accountable to the legislature; following the crisis, Christian X accepted his drastically reduced role as symbolic head of state . The Act of Succession of 27 March 1953
4760-400: The major provinces of medieval Denmark . The current unified Kingdom of Denmark was founded or re-united by the Viking kings Gorm the Old and Harald Bluetooth in the 10th century. Originally an elective monarchy , it became hereditary only in the 17th century during the reign of Frederick III . A decisive transition to a constitutional monarchy occurred in 1849 with the writing of
4845-410: The monarch invites the party leader who has the support of the largest number of seats in the Folketing to form a government. Once it has been formed, the monarch formally appoints it. Greenland and the Faroe Islands are part of the Kingdom of Denmark and thus their head of state is also the monarch of Denmark, in accordance with the Danish Constitution. After a referendum in Greenland in 2009,
4930-399: The monarch to advise him of the latest political developments. The monarch hosts official visits by foreign Heads of State, pays state visits abroad, receives letters of credence from foreign ambassadors and signs those of Danish ambassadors. The convention for appointment of a new prime minister after a general election is that after consultation with representatives of the political parties,
5015-478: The monarch's prior permission to travel abroad and to marry. Article 25 of the Kongelov stipulates, with respect to members of the Royal dynasty: "They should answer to no Magistrate Judges, but their first and last Judge shall be the King, or to whomsoever He decrees." Although all other articles of the Kongelov have been repealed by amendments to the Constitution in 1849, 1853 and 1953, these two articles have thus far been left intact. The Danish monarch holds
5100-407: The monarch. Today the monarch delegates much royal authority to Ministers in government, allowing the king to engage in the ceremonial role outlined by the Danish constitution. The Prime Minister and Cabinet attend the regular meetings of the Council of State , at which the monarch presides and gives royal assent to laws. The Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs report regularly to
5185-442: The order and resigned several days later after a heated exchange with the king. Subsequently, Christian X dismissed the rest of the government and replaced it with a de facto conservative care-taker cabinet under Otto Liebe . The dismissal caused demonstrations and an almost revolutionary atmosphere in Denmark, and for several days the future of the monarchy seemed very much in doubt. In light of this, negotiations were opened between
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#17327733529765270-421: The plebiscite's results, generally motivated by a desire to see Germany permanently weakened in the future. Christian X agreed with these sentiments, and ordered Prime Minister Carl Theodor Zahle to include Central Schleswig in the re-unification process. As Denmark had been operating as a parliamentary democracy since the Cabinet of Deuntzer in 1901, Zahle felt he was under no obligation to comply. He refused
5355-423: The previous king was usually elected) until 1660, when it became hereditary and absolutist . Until 1864 Denmark was also united in a personal union with the duchies of Holstein and Saxe-Lauenburg (1815–1864), and in a political and personal union with the Duchy of Schleswig . The exact date of origin of the Kingdom of Denmark is not established, but names of Danish kings begins to emerge in foreign sources from
5440-422: 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
5525-409: The result of two serious fires in 1794 and in 1884. The main part of the current palace, finished in 1928, is in the historicist Neo-Baroque style . The chapel dates to 1826 and is in a Neoclassical style . The showgrounds were built 1738–46, in a Baroque style . The royal parts of the palace are open to the public when not in use. Another residence is Fredensborg Palace north of Copenhagen which
5610-405: The royal family bought the palaces and moved in. The state rooms of Christian VIII's Palace and Christian VII's Palace may be visited by the public on guided tours. In addition, parts of Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen are also at the disposal of the monarch. It is the site of official functions such as banquets , state dinners , diplomatic accreditations , public audiences , meetings of
5695-428: 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
5780-408: The separate hereditary principles, but in the end the government decided on a uniform agnatic primogeniture , which was accepted by the Parliament. This order of succession remained in effect for a hundred years, then the Salic law was changed to male-preference primogeniture in 1953, meaning that females could inherit, but only if they had no brothers. In 2009, the mode of inheritance of the throne
5865-465: The story of which is recorded on the Jelling stones . The exact extent of Harald's kingdom is unknown, although it is reasonable to believe that it stretched from the defensive line of Dannevirke , including the Viking city of Hedeby , across Jutland , the Danish isles and into southern present day Sweden; Scania and perhaps Halland . Furthermore, the Jelling stones attests that Harald had also "won" Norway. The son of Harald, Sweyn Forkbeard , mounted
5950-547: The throne as the first Danish monarch of the House of Glücksburg . Christian IX eventually became known as Father-in-law of Europe due to his family ties with most other ruling dynasties of Europe: His daughter Princess Alexandra married Edward VII of the United Kingdom , another daughter Princess Dagmar married Alexander III of Russia and Princess Thyra married Crown Prince Ernst August of Hanover . His son Vilhelm went on to become George I of Greece . Further, his grandson Carl became Haakon VII of Norway . To this day
6035-410: The throne in January 1848, King Frederick VII was almost at once met by the demands for a constitution and an end to absolutism. The Schleswig-Holsteiners wanted an independent state while the Danes wished to maintain South Jutland as a Danish area. Frederick VII soon yielded to the Danish demands, and in March he accepted the end of absolutism , which resulted in the June Constitution of 1849 . During
6120-439: The throne in the event there were no eligible surviving male dynasts born in the male line . As for the duchies , Holstein and Lauenburg where the King ruled as duke, these lands adhered to Salic law (meaning that only males could inherit the ducal throne), and by mutual agreement were permanently conjoined. The duchies of Schleswig (a Danish fief ), Holstein and Lauenburg (German fiefs) were joined in personal union with
6205-487: The throne to those descended from King Christian X and his wife, Alexandrine of Mecklenburg-Schwerin , through approved marriages. Dynasts lose their right to the throne if they marry without the permission of the monarch given in the Council of State. Individuals born to unmarried dynasts or to former dynasts who married without royal permission, and their descendants, are excluded from the throne. Further, when approving
6290-532: 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
6375-556: 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
6460-574: 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 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 ,
6545-464: Was chosen in 1853 as heir presumptive to the Danish throne, with the approval of the great powers of Europe, in light of the expected extinction of the senior line of the House of Oldenburg . A justification for this choice was his marriage to Louise of Hesse-Kassel , who as a niece of Christian VIII , was a more close relative to the incumbent king than her husband. Upon the death of King Frederick VII of Denmark in 1863, Christian IX acceded to
6630-534: 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
6715-574: 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
6800-491: Was elected. Later a Coronation Charter was signed by the king to restrict the powers of the Danish monarch. In 1657, during the Second Northern War , King Frederick III launched a war of revenge against Sweden which turned into a complete disaster. The war became a disaster for two reasons: Primarily, because Denmark's new powerful ally, the Netherlands, remained neutral as Denmark was the aggressor and Sweden
6885-506: 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 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
6970-433: Was once more changed, this time into an absolute primogeniture . Following the transformation of Denmark's monarchy from elective (at least theoretically, although it had generally descended to the eldest son of the House of Oldenburg since 1448) to hereditary in 1660, the so-called Kongelov ( Latin : Lex Regia ) established the right to rule " by the grace of God " for King Frederick III and his posterity. Out of
7055-516: Was promulgated after a 1953 referendum introduced the possibility of female succession and, in effect, made Princess Margrethe the heir presumptive to her father, Frederik IX rather than her uncle Prince Knud . Upon Frederik IX's death in 1972, Queen Margrethe II ascended to the throne and reigned until her abdication in 2024. Following a referendum in 2009 , the Act of Succession was amended so that primogeniture no longer puts males over females;
7140-450: 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,
7225-784: 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
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