Prince Frederick of Denmark, 55, will become king on January 14th. From this day on it will be called Frederick and Greenland in the Atlantic.
The abdication of his mother, Queen Margaret, 83, announced this Sunday after half a century on the throne, throws her heir to the front. Taking on the crown and its symbolic role and representation of the country will mark a reorientation of the relaxed lifestyle that Federico has enjoyed so far – including a recent trip to Madrid, where he met Genoveva Casanova, the late Duchess of Alba's former daughter-in-law. The future king, who is very popular among the Danes like his mother, will take over as head of state and will also be the head of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Denmark.
Next January 14th marks the 52nd anniversary of Queen Margaret II's accession to the throne. In 2022, on the occasion of his 50th anniversary in power, Prince Friedrich assured in a speech that he would be ready when the time came. “I will lead the ship and follow you, as you did your father [el rey Federico IX]“were his words.
The promise of continuity and respect for the institution he will represent takes place in a country where republicanism still exists. “Only 15% of the population are Republicans, and that is because the Danes have linked their identity as a small country with the presence of an ancient and respected monarchy,” says Sebastian Olden-Jorgensen, historian and expert on the royal family at the University of Copenhagen. In a telephone conversation, he added that the monarchy was “immensely popular” and that the queen's abdication was not an attempt to ease tensions or contain scandals within the royal family. “I think it's a logical reaction to his declining health. Maybe he could keep up appearances for a while, but he saw his own fragility. Although the withdrawal is a novelty in Denmark, very few people believe that the queen is obliged to continue.
According to Olden-Jorgensen, the current success is due to the fact that there have been “a series of competent male kings, and then Queen Margaret, who have lived up to their roles and carefully adjusted the monarchy over time.” He compares the institution to a family business that accumulates its wealth – here understood as reputation and goodwill – over the years. “It depends on the members of the dynasty to maintain it, and here the Danish royal family knew how to behave. Ultimately it comes down to personality and it's like a lottery. Just like in every life.” What do you think then about the presence in Spain of the future King of Denmark and a woman who is not his wife, Princess Mary? “It seems that the Danes were entertained by this story [destapada por la revista Lecturas] but they don't think it's serious. “It was stupid of them and if it was just one time, people would forgive and forget.”
The fact that the prince spent the night at Genoveva Casanova's house and waited alone on the street for a car to pick him up seems to him “part of his informal style, and he will have to be more prudent and dignified as king.” “A large part “The prince’s success among his compatriots is due to his non-rigid behavior and he will have to become more mature in this area,” he says. At the same time, remember that Princess Mary can act as a counterbalance “because she represents dignity in teaching, is respected and champions the monarchy for causes such as defending the LGTBI community and climate protection.” Her husband, on the other hand, “seems more interested in sports and music.” The couple met in 2000 at the Olympic Games in Sydney (Australia), their home country, and married in 2004 in Copenhagen. They have four children who are first in line to the throne: Christian (18 years old), Isabella (16 years old) and the twins Vincent and Josephine (12 years old). The oldest is already popular with the Danes.
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Queen Margaret of Denmark, Prince Christian and heir to the throne Prince Frederick on the balcony of Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen on October 15th. Patrick van Katwijk (Getty Images)
Federico André Henrik Christian, Prince of Denmark and Count of Monpezat on his father's side, was born on May 26, 1968. The son of Queen Margaret and her husband, Prince Henri, of French origin, he has a younger brother – Prince Joaquín – and studied in his country and in France. He received his degree and master's degree in political science from Denmark's Aarhus University and also attended a year of courses at the American University of Harvard. Like other European ruling families, he was trained at the military academies for land, sea and air. The royal family's website says: “He is commander of the navy and colonel of the other two armies and remains active in the defense sector.” In addition to Danish, he speaks English, French and German, and in addition to his sensitivity to the environment is his passion for add the sport. The Royal Race, in which he takes part, brings together almost 80,000 ordinary citizens each year and is one of the largest events of its kind at a national level.
The good relationship he maintains with his mother today contrasts with the discomfort he felt in his youth about the media attention that came with his fate as a future king. At the time, he also regretted the perceived distance of his parents, who were more focused on their royal duties than on their two children. A similar criticism to that of King Charles III. of the United Kingdom to his parents, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip of Edinburgh, both deceased. Over time, the Danish and British heirs have softened their accusations, particularly because concerns about their private lives have also led to tensions within their homes.
“Mother and son are very close. Yes, there was a crisis between the queen and her second son Joaquín over the deprivation of princely titles from his sons,” admits Olden-Jorgensen. This was a move in line with other European royal families' adjustments to the number of their serving members and recipients of public funds. “In the Danish case it was not done elegantly and this caused pain for the son and grandchildren. “It was handled badly and tactlessly.” From now on Nicolás, Félix, Henrik and Athena – children of Prince Joachim; The two eldest from their first marriage are free to decide about their future without their actions having an impact on the monarchy. What will happen to Joaquin? “He lives in the United States [junto con su esposa, la princesa Marie, y sus dos hijos menores] and I think it will continue abroad. Somehow he hasn't managed to find his place in Denmark, although being second in a royal family is never easy,” says the same expert.
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