Dennis Stenild, Kongehuset ©
Following Queen Margrethe’s abdication on 14 January, King Frederik will take the throne and his wife will become Queen Mary. They are not the only members of the Danish Royal Family whose titles will change, though. Their eldest son will also take on a new role.
Prince Christian will become Crown Prince of Denmark on Sunday, 14 January. Christian was born on 15 October 2005 at Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen and was baptised on 21 January 2006 at Copenhagen Cathedral. His godparents include: Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, Pavlos, Crown Prince of Greece, and Prince Joachim of Denmark.
Christian was joined by three more siblings: Princess Isabella was born on 21 April 2006, and twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine were born on 8 Janaury 2011.
Prince Christian’s education had a unique start for the Danish Royal Family, as he was the first member in direct line to the throne who attended nursery school. He first attended Tranegårdskolen, a public state school. Christian and his siblings were meant to attend the Swiss Lemania-Verbier International School in for 4 months in 2020 but they were unable to complete their studies there due to the pandemic. Prince Christian then attended Herlufsholm, a boarding school, beginning in August 2021 but was removed from the school only a year later due to several allegations of bullying at the school (not involving the prince). He is completing the remainder of his secondary education at Ordrup Gymnasium.
Prince Christian carried out his first public engagement at only four years old with his grandfather, Prince Henrik, when he attended the opening of the new elephant house at Copenhagen Zoo. He has periodically undertaken engagements with his parents and grandparents.
The Prince was confirmed at Fredensborg Palace on 15 May 2021, and in October 2023 celebrated his eighteenth birthday with a gala at Christiansborg Palace. He was also made a member of the Order of the Elephant and received the insignia that had once belonged to his grandfather, Prince Henrik. He made a formal promise to Denmark during a meeting of the Council of State in November 2023. He is now able to reign in Denmark of his own accord and to act as regent, if required.
The new Crown Prince of Denmark is also now a member of the Council of State and so will be present to witness the abdication of his grandmother, Queen Margrethe II, which will take place in a council meeting at 2pm on January 14 2024.