In a remarkable turn of events, Queen Margrethe, the world’s sole reigning female monarch, has taken everyone by surprise with her unexpected announcement during the New Year’s address. In just a fortnight, Crown Prince Frederik is poised to ascend to the throne, succeeding his mother as the new king of Denmark.
January 14 will mark the completion of 52 years of Margrethe’s rule, the day when Frederik also becomes king. Here’s what to know about the crown prince.
Who is Crown Prince Frederik?
Prince Frederik, aged 55, was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, to Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik. He has a younger brother named Prince Joachim.
Frederik is part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Denmark (also known as the Danish National Church), a requirement for the Danish royal family, particularly for reigning monarchs.
He’s perceived as a teenager who once rebelled but has transformed into a socially conscious family man. He’s renowned for his affinity for a fast-paced way of life and a passion for cars.
“He was not strictly speaking a rebel, but as a child and young man, he was very uncomfortable with the media attention and the knowledge that he was going to be king,” Gitte Redder, an expert on the Danish royal family, told the AFP news agency.
She mentioned that his self-assurance only flourished in his mid-20s. Frederik’s image as a lively prince also began to transform when he achieved the distinction of being the initial Danish royal to finish a university degree.