Who is the next king of Denmark?

On the eve of New Year’s Day, Denmark received an unexpected announcement from Queen Margrethe II, signaling her decision to abdicate the throne. The world’s sole reigning queen and Europe’s longest-serving living monarch will step down on January 14, precisely 52 years since ascending to the throne.

In a televised address, Queen Margrethe disclosed her plan to pass the mantle to her son, Crown Prince Frederik. As Denmark anticipates its future king, let’s delve into the life and character of the soon-to-be monarch.

Crown Prince Frederik’s public image underwent a transformation in the early 1990s when he was colloquially known as the “party prince.” However, perceptions shifted after his graduation from Aarhus University in 1995, where he earned a master’s degree in political science, becoming the first Danish royal to complete a university education.

During his academic journey, Crown Prince Frederik spent time at Harvard in the United States, using the pseudonym Frederik Henriksen. Subsequently, he joined the Danish navy, earning the nickname “Pingo” due to an incident during a scuba diving course that left his wetsuit waterlogged, causing him to waddle like a penguin.

The 55-year-old royal has established himself as a daring individual, participating in a four-month ski expedition across Greenland in 2000. Not one to shy away from adventure, he has faced hospitalization due to sledging and scooter accidents. Despite his royal status, Crown Prince Frederik has expressed his desire to remain true to himself and not confine himself within the walls of a fortress.

Similar to Britain’s King Charles III, Crown Prince Frederik is renowned for his environmental advocacy, pledging to steer Denmark towards a sustainable future. His wife, Princess Mary, hailing from Australia and previously working as a lawyer, met him in 2000 at a Sydney bar during the Olympic Games. Reflecting on their initial encounter, Princess Mary admitted she was unaware of his royal identity, recalling, “Half an hour later, someone came up to me and said, ‘Do you know who these people are?’”

Crowned by some as champions of modern values, the royal couple has strived to provide their four children – a daughter, son, and twins – with a semblance of normalcy. They have deliberately chosen state schools to facilitate a down-to-earth upbringing for their family. As Denmark prepares for this significant transition in its monarchy, Crown Prince Frederik and Princess Mary represent a blend of tradition, adventure, and a commitment to contemporary values.