King Frederik X of Denmark participates in the Danish Parliament’s celebration of the succession of the throne on Jan. 15 in Copenhagen.Photo:Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Images
Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Images
King Frederikof Denmark is packing his bags for his first trip abroad as sovereign.
The new King of Denmark, 55, will travel to Poland on Wednesday to lead a Danish business delegation during a three-day stay concluding on Friday. The agenda breaks with past precedent, as the Danish Royal House said it’s custom for a new sovereign to make their first trips abroad with their spouse to neighboring countries. However, the courtspecifiedthat the Polish trip had been in the works for a while, maybe meaning that arrangements were before Frederik’s motherQueen Margretheunexpectedly announcedplans to abdicateon New Year’s Eve.
“The visit, which has been under preparation for quite a long time, takes place partly in Poland’s capital, Warsaw, where 38 Danish companies will participate in a business promotional campaign, as well as in the port city Szczecin, where The King will visit NATO’s regional headquarters and representatives of the Danish and Polish business community in the city, among other things,” the court said.
According to theofficial itinerary, the schedule includes a welcome at the Presidential Palace with Polish President Andrzej Duda, a wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a Grand Dinner at the Royal Palace and more.
King Frederik X greets the crowd after a church service celebrating the change of reign at Aarhus Cathedral on Jan. 21.MIKKEL BERG PEDERSEN/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty
MIKKEL BERG PEDERSEN/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty
Queen Margrethe’s eldest son became King of Denmark when she abdicated at a Council of State at Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen on Jan. 14, two weeks after she used her annual New Year’s Address to announce that she would step down on the 52nd anniversary of her accession to the throne. The newsshocked most Danesas Queen Margrethe, 83, previously hinted that she intended to reign for life, positioning her to be the first Danish sovereign to voluntarily step down from the throne in nearly 900 years, perroyal history.
Queen Margrethe used her New Year’s address on Dec. 31, 2023 to announce that she would be abdicating on Jan. 14, 2024, the 52nd anniversary of her accession to the throne.Keld Navntoft / Ritzau Scanpix / AFP via Getty
Keld Navntoft / Ritzau Scanpix / AFP via Getty
The official declined to disclose when the court and Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen were informed of the huge news.
Princess Isabella of Denmark, Prince Christian of Denmark, King Frederik X of Denmark, Queen Mary of Denmark, Princess Josephine of Denmark and Prince Vincent of Denmark wave to the crowd after a declaration of the King’s accession to the throne at Christiansborg Palace on Jan. 14.BO AMSTRUP/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty
BO AMSTRUP/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty
King Frederik’s family was front and center on his accession day, and his wife and kids joined him on the balcony of the palace after the prime minister proclaimed his accession to the throne. The new King and Queen even shared asurprise kiss,defusing rumorsof an alleged affair that made headlines in the fall.
In November 2023, reports swirled that Frederik was having an affair with Mexican-born socialite Geneveva Casanova after they were photographed together during his private trip to Madrid. Casanovadenied allegationsof a romantic relationship with the royal.
King Frederik and Queen Mary share a kiss on the balcony of Christiansborg Palace on Jan. 14.JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP via Getty
JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP via Getty
Though he has only been the Crown Prince for two weeks — and is still a teenager! — Crown Prince Christian will reportedly step up into an elevated royal role is away in Poland. The Danish Royal House confirmed toEkstra Bladetthat Christian will be the regent of Denmark while King Frederik is out of the country, meaning that he could act on his dad’s behalf as head of state.
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Dennis Stenild, Kongehuset
With no official plans on the calendar, it’s unlikely that Crown Prince Christian will be tapped for any extra responsibilities, and he could always ask his mom for advice. The courtconfirmeda few days before King Frederik’s accession that Queen Mary, 51, could also act as regent if her husband and eldest son were unable to execute their duties, such as during foreign travel.
King Frederik and Queen Mary are expected to visit Sweden and Norway for their first official joint trips of the new reign, and the court said the dates will be disclosed as soon as possible. The Scandinavian royal families are extremely close in both their royal duties and their personal connections, making the visits a natural fit.
source: people.com
