Frederik X facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Frederik X |
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| Count of Monpezat | |||||
Frederik in 2025
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| King of Denmark | |||||
| Reign | 14 January 2024 – present | ||||
| Predecessor | Margrethe II | ||||
| Heir apparent | Christian | ||||
| Born | 26 May 1968 Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark |
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| House | Glücksburg | ||||
| Father | Henri de Laborde de Monpezat | ||||
| Mother | Margrethe II | ||||
| Religion | Protestant | ||||
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| Other names | Pingo | ||||
| Alma mater | Aarhus University | ||||
| Military career | |||||
| Allegiance | Danish Realm | ||||
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| Unit | Frogman Corps | ||||
Frederik X (Frederik André Henrik Christian, born 26 May 1968) is the current King of Denmark. He became king after his mother, Margrethe II, decided to step down from the throne in 2024.
Frederik is the oldest son of Margrethe II and Prince Henrik. He was born when his grandfather, King Frederik IX, was king. Frederik became the Crown Prince of Denmark when his mother became queen in 1972. He studied at home, at Krebs School, École des Roches, and Øregård Gymnasium. He also earned a master's degree in political science from Aarhus University. After university, he worked in diplomacy for the United Nations and in Paris. He has also trained in all three parts of the Danish Armed Forces.
Frederik met Mary Donaldson, an Australian marketing consultant, at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. They got married on 14 May 2004 at Copenhagen Cathedral. They have four children: Christian, Isabella, Vincent, and Josephine.
Contents
Early Life and School
Frederik was born on 26 May 1968, at Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen. He was born to Princess Margrethe (who later became Queen Margrethe II) and Prince Henrik. At the time, his grandfather, King Frederik IX, was the King of Denmark.
He was baptized on 24 June 1968, at Holmen Church in Copenhagen. He was named Frederik after his grandfather, following a Danish royal tradition. This tradition means the future king is often named either Frederik or Christian. He became the Crown Prince of Denmark when his mother became queen on 14 January 1972. Frederik has one younger brother, Prince Joachim of Denmark.
Frederik went to primary school at Krebs School from 1974 to 1981. He also had private lessons at Amalienborg Palace for two years. From 1982 to 1983, he attended a boarding school in France called École des Roches. In 1986, Frederik finished high school at Øregård Gymnasium. Besides Danish, he speaks French, English, and German very well.
In 1989, Frederik started studying political science at Aarhus University. He spent a year at Harvard University in the United States from 1992 to 1993. There, he studied political science under the name Frederik Henriksen. Frederik is the first Danish royal to complete a university degree.
Starting His Career
In 1994, Frederik worked for three months at the Danish UN mission in New York. In 1995, he earned his master's degree in political science from Aarhus University. He finished his studies with good grades, becoming the first royal to get a master's degree. His final project was about the foreign policy of the Baltic States. From October 1998 to October 1999, he worked as a First Secretary at the Danish Embassy in Paris.
Military Training
Frederik has done a lot of military training in all three branches of the armed forces. This includes training as a frogman in the special forces unit called Frømandskorpset. During this tough training, he got the nickname "Pingo" because his wetsuit filled with water, making him waddle like a penguin.
He continued his leadership training at the Royal Danish Defence College in 2001 and 2002. From 2002 to 2003, he worked as a staff officer at Defence Command Denmark. He also taught at the Institute of Strategy at the Royal Danish Defence College from 2003.
On 8 April 2015, he was made a counter admiral in the Navy and a major general in the Army and Air Force. When he became king on 14 January 2024, he was given the highest military rank. He is now an admiral in the Navy and a general in both the Army and Air Force. This means he holds the same high rank as the Danish Chief of Defence.
Family Life
On 8 October 2003, Queen Margrethe agreed to Crown Prince Frederik's marriage. He was going to marry Mary Elizabeth Donaldson, an Australian marketing consultant. They had met at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. Their wedding took place on 14 May 2004, at Copenhagen Cathedral in Copenhagen.
The couple has four children. Their first child, Christian, was born on 15 October 2005. Then came Isabella on 21 April 2007. Finally, twins Vincent and Josephine were born on 8 January 2011.
Becoming King
Queen Margrethe II announced she would step down during her New Year's Eve speech on 31 December 2023. Frederik became King of Denmark on 14 January 2024. This happened after Margrethe officially signed a document to give up her throne.
After becoming king, he was announced to the public from the balcony of Christiansborg Palace. This is a tradition for Danish monarchs since Denmark became a constitutional monarchy in 1849. His royal motto is "United, committed, for the Kingdom of Denmark." This is the first motto since Frederik VII that does not mention God.
On 15 January 2024, the royal family went to Parliament for a ceremony. This event marked the change of the head of state. On 21 January, they attended a special church service at Aarhus Cathedral.
On 31 January 2024, Frederik visited Poland. He met with its president, Andrzej Duda. This was his first trip outside Denmark as king. Danish monarchs usually visit another Scandinavian country first. However, Frederik had planned this trip before his mother stepped down.
The King and Queen made their first official state visits in May 2024. They visited Sweden and Norway. In June, they traveled to Greenland, which is a self-governing part of the Kingdom of Denmark. Their planned trip to the Faroe Islands was postponed. It is now set for 2025.
In November 2024, the Royal Court announced a change. The King decided to stop the system of giving companies "royal warrants." This system, where companies get special recognition from the royal house, has been in Denmark since the 1800s. The King felt it was not modern anymore. All warrants will be phased out by 31 December 2029.
In January 2025, when U.S. president-elect Donald Trump talked again about the idea of the U.S. buying Greenland, the King gave a speech. He spoke about unity and working together within the Kingdom of Denmark. He also issued a royal order to update the royal coat of arms. The new design makes the symbols of Greenland and the Faroe Islands bigger. This change "strengthens the prominence of the Commonwealth in the royal coat of arms," according to the Royal House.
Hobbies and Interests
Caring for the Planet
Frederik is very interested in science, climate change, and how to live in a way that protects the Earth for the future. Because of his dedication to sustainability, he was interviewed by the Financial Times and CNN International's Future Cities program. He has taken part in many trips, meetings, and events about climate. The King has also represented Denmark to promote Danish energy that is good for the environment.
He helped write a book called Kongelig Polartokt (Polar Cruise Royal) in 2009. This book is about the challenges of climate change. In 2010, he wrote the introduction for a high school textbook. It was called Naturen og klimaændringerne i Nordøstgrønland (Nature and climate change in Northeast Greenland). He supports science projects as a patron and through his foundation.
Love for Sports
The King encourages people in Denmark to play sports. He supports many sports groups and is an honorary member of some. He also used to be a member of the International Olympic Committee. He promotes a healthy and active way of life for everyone.
Frederik loves sports himself. He has run marathons in Copenhagen, New York, and Paris. He finished the 42-kilometer Copenhagen Marathon in a good time. In 2013, he completed the KMD Ironman Copenhagen. He was the first royal person to finish an Ironman Triathlon.
Frederik is also a skilled sailor. He has been a successful skipper in Farr 40 and International Dragon boat races. In 2003, he and his crew almost won the Dragon European Championship, finishing fourth. In 2008, he also took fourth place at the Farr 40 World Championship. He won a sailing cup in Denmark in 2010 with his yacht Emma.
In 2016, Frederik had to cancel an event because he hurt his spine. He fractured it while jumping on a trampoline with his oldest son. In March 2019, Frederik took part in a relay race at the 2019 IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Aarhus.
Frederik also enjoys cross-country skiing. He has skied the 90 km (56 mi) Swedish Vasaloppet, which is the oldest cross-country ski race in the world. He completed it in 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015. In 2016, he finished the 54 km (34 mi) Norwegian Birkebeinerrennet with Crown Prince Haakon of Norway. Also in 2016, Frederik completed the 160 km (99 mi) Arctic Circle Race in Sisimiut, Greenland.
Role in the Olympics
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On 9 October 2009, Crown Prince Frederik was chosen to be a member of the International Olympic Committee. He took the place of a former Danish member who had retired. Some people in Denmark were unsure about this. They worried that the Crown Prince would be on a committee with people who had faced legal issues. Another concern was whether his loyalty would be to Denmark or to the International Olympic Committee. He was given a special observer role in Denmark to allow him to work without political power.
Frederik said his main goal for joining the committee was to encourage young people to be active. He was elected for an eight-year term. He made it clear that he would leave the committee when he became King of Denmark.
In 2012, Frederik carried the Olympic flame through Notting Hill in West London. In 2016, Frederik faced some criticism. He voted against the wishes of the Danish Parliament regarding whether Russia should compete in the 2016 Summer Olympics. This was after claims of state-sponsored doping.
On 19 June 2017, the Crown Prince announced he would continue for another 8-year term. However, in 2021, Frederik said he would step down as an active member of the International Olympic Committee. He wanted to focus more on his daily royal duties.
The Royal Run
To celebrate his 50th birthday, Frederik started a public running event on 21 May 2018. It was called Royal Run. More than 70,000 people took part in five cities across Denmark, including Frederik and his family. Everyone thought the event was a great success.
The Royal Run has now become an annual event. It took place in 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023. The 2020 event was canceled because of the COVID-19 situation. The 2024 event happened on 20 May in Copenhagen/Frederiksberg, Kalundborg, Fredericia, Aarhus, and Brønderslev. The 2025 event took place on 9 June 2025.
Amazing Adventures
In 1986, the Crown Prince went on an expedition to Mongolia. In 2000, he joined "Expedition Sirius 2000." This was a four-month, 2,795 km (1,737 mi) dog-sled trip in northern Greenland. The Sirius expedition celebrated 50 years of the Sirius Patrol. Prince Frederik was the film photographer for this polar adventure. His job was to make sure the event was well-documented.
Frederik's Foundation
The Crown Prince Frederik's Foundation helps students who study social policy and sciences. It gives them money for one year of study at Harvard University. It also supports scientific expeditions, especially to places like Greenland and the Faroe Islands. The foundation also helps with sports activities, especially those that have a social purpose.
Titles and Awards
How He Is Known
Frederik was first known as "His Royal Highness Prince Frederik of Denmark." When his mother became queen on 14 January 1972, he became "His Royal Highness The Crown Prince of Denmark." The title Count of Monpezat was added later for his family members. Since he became king on 14 January 2024, he is now called "His Majesty The King, Count of Monpezat."
Special Awards
The King has received many awards and honors. One special award he received was from the Danish Red Cross. This award is usually only given to former presidents of the Danish Red Cross. However, a special exception was made for the King.
Images for kids
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Royal standard
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Royal monogram as king
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Personal monogram as crown prince
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Dual monogram of Frederik and Mary
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See also
In Spanish: Federico X de Dinamarca para niños
