King Frederik X's Life in Photos
In January, Crown Prince Frederik became King Frederik X, following his mother Queen Margrethe's abdication.
Frederik, who is 55 years old, is one of the youngest monarchs in the world—the only two younger than him are King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan, 43, and the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, also 43. (Spain's King Felipe VI is also 55 years old, but turns 56 in just two weeks.)
King Frederik is an active outdoorsman, passionate environmentalist, and served in the Danish Navy. "I don't want to lock myself in a fortress. I want to be myself, a human being," he said years ago. Here, as Denmark's new monarch begins his reign, take a look back at Frederik's life in photos:
1968
Frederik was born on May 26, 1968, the oldest son of then-Princess Margrethe and her husband, Prince Henrik. Here, the new parents introduce their baby to the world at Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen.
1968
He was baptized at at Holmen Church Copenhagen on June 24, 1968.
1968
The Danish royal tradition is that Kings are named Frederik and Christian alternating—Margrethe took the "Christian" cycle, so her son was Frederik. Here, King Frederik IX, Princess Margrethe, and baby Crown Prince Frederik (future King Frederik X).
1968
The young family of three during summer 1968.
1970
The young prince picks flowers in Copenhagen.
1970
During a visit to Greenland, the Danish royal family poses for a photo: Princess Margrethe and Prince Henrik with their sons Princes Joachim and Frederik.
1972
Prince Henrik carries Frederik during a holiday at Marselisborg Castle in Aarhus, Jutland. In 1972, Frederik became Crown Prince when his mother ascended to the throne as Queen Margrethe II.
1973
Queen Margrethe pushes her son Prince Frederik on a sled, while they holiday in Megene, France.
1973
Princes Joachim (left) and Frederik (right) with their parents on board the Royal Yacht Dannebrog during a visit to Bornholm.
1975
Naturally, Frederik is a skier. Queen Margrethe poses with her sons on the slopes in Norway.
1977
Another family vacation to Norway, this time in winter 1977.
1977
Prince Frederik and his brother Prince Joachim share a moment at a "fun park" together.
1979
Frederik and Joachim were often dressed in matching outfits.
1980
As Prince Henrik is from France, the Danish royals would spend much time there over the years. Here, they are at their Chateau De Caix in southwestern France.
1982
Prince Frederik played tennis as a young boy.
1983
The royals on a ski vacation in Courchevel.
1986
In 1986, Frederik finished his secondary schooling and began university at Aarhus University.
1986
He also trained as a soldier with the Danish military.
1989
While at university, he spent a year at Harvard, where he enrolled under the name Frederik Henriksen.
1995
His younger brother, Prince Joachim, got married in 1995, and he attended the wedding along with his parents.
1998
Frederik got his his MSc degree in political science from Aarhus University in 1995, and worked at the Danish Embassy in France in the late 90s. He became the first member of the Danish royal family to get a university education, and then became the first to obtain a master's degree.
2000
He's quite adventurous. Here, Prince Frederik and his companion, Michael Bank, drive their dog sledge in an "Expedition Sirius 2000," that will take them 3,500 kilometers over four months. Per the original caption, "The trip is to commemorate the founding in 1950 of the Sirius patrol, which monitors the northern fringes of the Danish territory."
2000
In 2000, he went to the Sydney Olympic games, where he met his future wife, Mary Donaldson, at a pub.
Read more: Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark's Royal Love Story
Queen Margrethe's mother, Queen Ingrid, died in 2002. Prince Frederik accompanied his mother behind the coffin during the funeral.
2001
Prince Frederik chats with another heir to a European throne, Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden.
2001
Prince Frederik smiled as he attended the royal wedding of Prince Haakon of Norway to the soon-to-be Princess Mette-Marit.
2002
An early public appearance for Prince Frederik and Mary, at a Wedding together.
2003
Prince Frederik goes for a jog while visiting Ireland. He's a very active royal—enjoying sailing, tennis, running, golf, triathlon, and skiing.
2003
In 2003, the engagement of Frederik and Mary is announced.
2004
They married in a spectacular royal wedding on May 14, 2004 in Copenhagen, Denmark.
2006
In 2005, Prince Frederik becomes a father for the first time, welcoming his son, Prince Christian.
2010
Prince Frederik, Princess Mary, and their son Prince Christian attend the wedding of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Daniel Westling.
2011
In 2011, Mary and Frederik welcome twins, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine.
2011
Prince Frederik waves with his son, Prince Vincent, at the annual summer photocall for the royal family at Grasten Castle.
2013
The Danish royal family of six pose for photographs on their annual skiing holiday in Verbier, Switzerland.
2013
Frederik plays around with his youngest son.
2014
Frederik became a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 2009.
2017
Prince Frederik and Princess Mary accompany their twins to the first day at school.
2017
Prince Frederik poses for a picture during a trip to China.
2018
Their children started joining Prince Frederik and Princess Mary at bigger royal events.
2018
To celebrate Crown Prince Frederik's 50th birthday, there are celebrations in Copenhagen and the Crown Prince couple appeared on the balcony of Amalienborg Palace.
2018
The royals visited the Faroe Islands, and they all coordinated in matching jackets (except Frederik) during a trip to the village of Mikladalur.
2021
Prince Frederik joined his mother Queen Margrethe II on an official visit to Germany.
2022
Frederik was a proud dad during the confirmation of Princess Isabella.
2022
Prince Frederik and Princess Mary look lovely during a visit to the Netherlands.
2022
Queen Margrethe celebrated her Golden Jubilee in 2022, and Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary were obviously on hand for the celebrations, looking glamorous.
2023
The couple attended the coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla.
2024
Prince Frederik's last appearance as Crown Prince.
2024
The new King Frederik waves to the crowds after his accession.
2024
The Danish royal family released a portrait of the new King and Queen of Denmark.
They also shared a photograph of Frederik and Mary with their children.
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