Officials in Denmark are still figuring out how much money the new monarch will receive, but for many Danes, the royal family represents a sense of fairytale tradition and is considered to be worth every penny, regardless of the cost.
Queen Margrethe II surprised the nation on New Year’s Eve when she announced her decision to abdicate and pass the throne to her oldest son, who is set to become King Frederik X on Sunday.
The Danish royal family’s spending is approximately eight times less than that of their British counterparts, making the Danish monarchy one of the most popular in Europe, with the backing of over 70% of the country.
“The royal family embodies everything that is Danish, representing fairytales and traditions,” said 59-year-old Anna Karina Laursen, as she stood in front of the royal palace in Copenhagen.
Denmark, home to fairytale author H.C. Andersen, boasts one of the oldest monarchies in the world.
“I appreciate the history, the castles, and the importance of preserving them, with the royal family being an integral part of that,” Laursen added.
A 2023 survey for Danish newspaper Berlingske showed that 52% of Danes consider the queen to be correctly paid or underpaid, while 30% believe she’s overpaid.
In 2022, the royal family received 88.9 million Danish crowns ($13.04 million) in public funds, according to official data. In comparison, Britain’s royal family was allotted 86.3 million pounds ($109 million) the same year.
“I don’t think the sales value of the royal family can be repaid. I believe the royal family gives a lot back in the end,” said Annemette Nordkild, 55, as she waited to see the queen in front of her Copenhagen residence.
While the approval ratings of the monarchies in Sweden and Norway are similar to that of Denmark, the transparency and wealth of the British royals have triggered controversy and hostility.
The Danish parliament has yet to determine the amount of money the new king and queen will receive. In an effort to keep spending low, Queen Margrethe decided in 2022 to remove the royal titles of the children of her youngest son, Prince Joachim.
Crown Prince Frederik and Princess Mary of Denmark have been spotted cycling through the streets of Copenhagen with their children, utilizing a popular transportation method in the capital.
However, Danes also appreciate a touch of grandeur, as seen last week when the queen rode through Copenhagen streets in a gilded horse-drawn carriage from 1840.
“The golden carriage, it’s not something she does very often, and that’s cool,” said Lone Percy-Smith, 60, a professor in audiology, while watching Margrethe II’s last ride in the carriage as the monarch.
Erik Magten, 77, a pensioner, believes the royal family offers Danes an experience, stating, “And we give back a bit through taxes.”
(Reporting by Johannes Birkebaek; Editing by Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen and Nick Macfie)
