Denmark’s upcoming king and queen have managed to balance their royal duties with a contemporary family life and involvement in progressive causes, contributing to the monarchy’s continued relevance and popularity in the Nordic country.
Crown Prince Frederik, 55, is set to ascend the throne on Sunday, following his mother Queen Margrethe II’s unexpected announcement on live TV on New Year’s Eve that she would abdicate in favor of her eldest son.
He will become King Frederik X, with Queen Mary, 51, by his side. She is an Australian-born former marketing and advertising director.
Recent opinion polls have indicated massive public support and enthusiasm for the monarchy in Denmark, largely attributed to Queen Margrethe’s tactful and traditional manner, as well as her interest in history and art.
Conversely, Frederik and Mary have utilized their fame and goodwill as influencers to help modernize the monarchy, while also advocating for environmental issues, sustainability, public health, and the rights of girls and women globally.
The couple, often seen on the streets of Copenhagen with their children, has been supportive of climate-conscious initiatives like using cargo bicycles as a means of transportation.
Unlike his mother, who was a heavy smoker for most of her life, Frederik advocates for active and healthy lifestyles. He organizes the popular running event, Royal Run, each year, where he and his family join thousands of participants in running through the streets of Copenhagen and other towns across the country.
“It’s their way of modernizing the monarchy and keeping it relevant for future generations,” commented Jakob Steen Olsen, a Danish monarchy commentator.
Fredrik and Mary were introduced at a party in Sydney during the 2000 Olympic Games, and they later married at a grand ceremony in Copenhagen. They have four children, including Prince Christian, 18, heir to the throne.
Frederik, in his youth, was known for his rebelliousness and discomfort in his role as heir, but he later gained recognition for his adventurous spirit and sports interests, even participating in a dogsled expedition in northern Greenland.
Princess Mary, born Mary Elizabeth Donaldson in Hobart, Tasmania, is known for quickly mastering the Danish language after arriving in Denmark, and for her patronage of various organizations promoting children’s and women’s rights, as well as sustainability in fashion.
An assessment following the queen’s abdication announcement revealed that 82% of Danes expect Frederik to perform well in his new role, while 86% have similar expectations for Mary.
(Reporting by Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen; additional reporting by Johannes Birkebaek; Editing by Rosalba O’Brien)
