There were cheers for the man about to become his country’s first king in over half a century as he made his first appearance since the shock news that his reign is about to begin.
Crown Prince Frederik, just a handful more days away from the start of his own reign, arrived at the Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen for the traditional New Year’s Levee to cheers and applause.
It was a first glimpse of the soon to be Frederik X since his mother, Margrethe II, announced she will abdicate in his favour on January 14th 2024.
The Queen of Denmark surprised many with the decision which she revealed at the end of her traditional New Year’s Eve speech as 2023 came to an end.
The Danish monarch also arrived at the palace to resounding cheers but while Frederik stopped to smile and wave, Margrethe II hurried inside.
The Crown Prince was accompanied by his wife, Crown Princess Mary, who will become Denmark’s first queen consort in over fifty years in the middle of January.
The Crown Princess, who had just been highly praised in an address by the country’s Prime Minister, was beaming broadly on her arrival.
The queen in waiting wore the ruby and diamond parure left to Frederik by Denmark’s last queen consort, his grandmother, Queen Ingrid.
Margrethe II will renounce her throne in a Council of State on January 14th 2024, the 52nd anniversary of her accession when she will be immediately succeeded by her son.
Denmark’s Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, will then proclaim Frederik X as King at the Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen.