Christian of Denmark, son of Crown Princes Frederick and Maria and grandson of the current ruler, Margarete turns 18 this Sunday. The young man is second in line to the Danish throne and shares a generation with most of continental Europe’s future queens. He is accompanied while waiting by Leonor from Spain, Isabel from Belgium, Amalia from the Netherlands, Ingrid Alejandra from Norway and Estelle from Sweden. In the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, little Prince Charles is now three years old. Christian, who is currently finishing secondary school, will celebrate his anniversary with a gala dinner to which the royal family has made great efforts to invite around 200 young people his age. Since they come from all municipalities in the country as well as from Greenland and the Faroe Islands – the autonomous Danish overseas territories – it is a more inclusive and diverse way of presenting the prince to society. In addition, the other guests also include members of other monarchies.
The election of the 200 18-year-olds who will accompany the winner was carried out by all Danish municipalities. Each of them had to select two people from all corners of the country by lottery or through youth organizations, “who are a reflection of Prince Christian’s generation,” according to the royal family’s information service. Another hundred chosen ones will be there based on outstanding achievements in sport, art or culture. Princes Joachim and Marie, the young man’s uncles, are also invited. The couple, now living in the United States, were involved in an infamous row with Queen Margaret in September 2022 when she stripped her children Enrique, 14, and Athena, 11, of their royal highness titles. The measure reached Nicolás (24) and Félix (21), the two offspring of Joaquín’s first marriage – who received a corresponding invitation – to the current Countess Alexandra Manley.
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Prince Christian is growing up and, like the other European crown princesses, is faced with the challenge of becoming known to his fellow citizens. He was seen growing up in official poses, on vacation, or at the start of the school year. Now his father Federico, first in line to the throne, begins to show him the institutional path. In a documentary called “Prince Christian, a Royal Journey,” which will be released this Saturday, both visit, among other things, Parliament as well as members of the Supreme Court and representatives of the Danish Church. For the first time, father and son are filmed in this way, speaking in a car or in Congress, a kind of journey into the future. With certain reservations, but also with a clear commitment. Queen Margaret, 83, has been on the throne for 50 years and shows no signs that a possible abdication is part of her plans. However, there will be a significant change from November next year when Christian expresses his respect for the constitution. If something were to happen to Prince Frederick, his son would come to the fore. Another thing is the level of presence at official events or the responsibility that the young person will take on.
The heirs to the throne of Denmark, Maria and Friedrich, pose with their four children: Isabella, Cristian and the twins Josephine and Vincent during the confirmation of Princess Elisabeth of Denmark on April 30, 2022 in Fredensborg, Denmark. Patrick van Katwijk (Getty Images)
Currently, Christian has had a series of official photos taken in which he appears relaxed and in casual clothing. The Greenland post office, however, has issued a commemorative stamp showing him wearing the white anorak that is part of the local costume. This Sunday, the first ceremony of their anniversary will be the changing of the guard at Amalienborg, the royal family’s main official residence in the capital Copenhagen. It consists of four palatial buildings arranged around a courtyard, and the prince will come out at lunchtime to greet from the balcony of one of these buildings: the palace of Frederick VIII. He is expected to be accompanied by his parents Federico and Mary, his siblings Princess Isabel (16) and the twins Vincent and Josephine (12) as well as the ruler. This greeting is a real tradition at 18 years old. The gala dinner will take place from 5:00 p.m. at Christianborg, another palace that also houses the seat of Parliament, the Prime Minister’s Office and the Supreme Court. Several members of other European crowns have confirmed their presence there, including Norwegian Princess Ingrid Alexandra and her father, Crown Prince Haakon. Belgian Princess Isabel and Swedish heiress Victoria with their 11-year-old daughter Estelle will also travel to Denmark.
Christian Valdemar Henri John is as unaware of the family tensions as possible and for now continues his high school courses at the Ordrup School, a public center in Copenhagen. He was previously enrolled at the private Herlufsholm boarding school, but his parents took him out when several students reported alleged incidents of bullying and sexual abuse. During his studies, Christian, following the example of Isabel of Belgium and Amalia of the Netherlands, will not take advantage of the royal scholarship to which he is entitled. “It has been agreed with the Prime Minister’s Office that the support of the Danish Parliament for a law on annual allowances will only be sought when the Prince reaches the age of 21, or in connection with a possible change to the throne, if this occurs earlier. “,” emphasizes the Danish royal family. From then on, your participation in official contexts depends on where you are in your educational program. One final detail for Sunday’s gala dinner: you can dress in formal attire and wear a tiara, but gifts are discouraged.