Frederik X (Frederik André Henrik Christian; born 26 May 1968) is King of Denmark. He succeeded to the throne following his mother's abdication on 14 January 2024.

Frederik is the elder son of Queen Margrethe II and Prince Henrik. He was born during the reign of his grandfather, King Frederik IX, and became Crown Prince following the accession of his mother as Queen of Denmark on 14 January 1972. He was educated privately at home and at Krebs School, École des Roches and Øregård Gymnasium. He earned a Master of Science degree in political science from Aarhus University. After university, he served in diplomatic posts at the United Nations and in Paris. He has trained in all three branches of the Danish Armed Forces.

In 2000, Frederik met Australian marketing consultant Mary Donaldson while attending the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. They married on 14 May 2004 at Copenhagen Cathedral. They have four children: crown prince Christian, Isabella, and twins Vincent and Josephine.

Early life and education

Prince Frederik as an infant in the arms of his mother, c. 1968

Frederik was born by emergency caesarean section at Rigshospitalet, the Copenhagen University Hospital in Copenhagen, on 26 May 1968 at 23:50 to the then Princess Margrethe, oldest daughter of Frederik IX and heir presumptive to the Danish throne, and Prince Henrik. At the time of his birth, his maternal grandfather was on the throne of Denmark and his matrilineal great-grandfather was on the throne of Sweden.

He was baptised on 24 June 1968, at Holmen Church, in Copenhagen. He was named Frederik after his maternal grandfather, King Frederik IX, continuing the Danish royal tradition of the heir apparent being named either Frederik or Christian. He became Crown Prince of Denmark when his mother ascended to the throne as Margrethe II on 14 January 1972. Crown Prince Frederik's only sibling is his younger brother Prince Joachim of Denmark.

Frederik attended primary school at Krebs' Skole between 1974 and 1981, as a private pupil at Amalienborg Palace from 1974 to 1976, and from the third form again at Krebs' Skole. From 1982 to 1983, he attended the École des Roches, a boarding school in Normandy, France. In 1986, Frederik graduated from Øregård Gymnasium. In addition to Danish, he is fluent in French (his father's language), English, and German.

In the autumn of 1989, Frederik began studying political science at Aarhus University. As part of his education, he spent the 1992–1993 academic year at Harvard University, where he studied political science under the name Frederik Henriksen. Whilst at Harvard, he participated in the Phoenix—SK Club, and lived in a rent controlled apartment. Frederik is the first Danish royal to complete a university education.

Early career

Frederik took up a position for three months with the Danish UN mission in New York in 1994. In 1995, he obtained his MSc degree in political science from Aarhus University. He completed the course in the prescribed number of years with an exam result above average, thus becoming the first royal to obtain a master's degree. His final paper was an analysis on the foreign policy of the Baltic States, which he had visited several times during his studies. The prince was posted as First Secretary to the Danish Embassy in Paris from October 1998 to October 1999.

Military service

Frederik has completed extensive military studies and training in all three services, notably completing the training as a frogman in the naval elite special operations forces Frømandskorpset. It was here that he earned the nickname "Pingo", when his wetsuit filled with water and he was forced to waddle like a penguin.

In 2001 and 2002, he completed further leadership training at the Royal Danish Defence College. Frederik remained active in the defence services, and in the period 2002–2003 served as a staff officer at Defence Command Denmark, and from 2003 as a senior lecturer with the Institute of Strategy at the Royal Danish Defence College.

Marriage and children

Prince Frederik and Princess Mary on a 2004 Faroese commemorative stamp

During a Council of State on 8 October 2003, Queen Margrethe gave her consent to the marriage of Crown Prince Frederik to Mary Elizabeth Donaldson, an Australian marketing consultant whom the prince had met while attending the Sydney Olympics in 2000. Their wedding took place on 14 May 2004 at Copenhagen Cathedral, Copenhagen.

The couple have four children: Christian (born 15 October 2005), Isabella (born 21 April 2007) and twins Vincent and Josephine (born 8 January 2011).

Reign

Queen Margrethe II announced her abdication, during her New Year's Eve address on 31 December 2023. Crown Prince Frederik succeeded her as King of Denmark on 14 January 2024.

After succeeding to the throne, he was proclaimed King from the balcony of Christiansborg Palace by Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. His motto is "Forbundne, forpligtet, for Kongeriget Danmark" (English: "United, committed, for the Kingdom of Denmark"), the first motto that does not mention God since Frederik VII.

Personal interests

Scientific research, climate change and sustainability

Prince Frederik arriving at Nordic Climate Solutions, 2009

Prince Frederik and Princess Mary admire the night skies of ESO's Paranal Observatory, 2013

Frederik has a special interest in scientific research, climate change, and sustainability. He was interviewed by Financial Times and CNN International, in the Future Cities program, for their commitment to sustainability. He participated in expeditions, forums and events on climate. The prince has represented Denmark as a promoter of sustainable Danish energy. The prince was one of the authors of the Polartokt Kongelig (Polar Cruise Royal), about the challenges of climate, published in 2009 with a preface written by Kofi Annan. In 2010, wrote the book's foreword Naturen og klimaændringerne i Nordøstgrønland (The nature and climate change in Greenland). Supports scientific research projects, as a patron, as expeditionary, with regular attendance at events and through his foundation, Kronprins Frederiks Fond.

Sports and health

Prince Frederik after finishing the Vasaloppet 2012

The prince encourages Danish participation in sports. He is a patron and honorary member of various sports organizations, and a former member of the International Olympic Committee. He also promotes an active lifestyle in society.

Frederik is an avid sportsman, running marathons in Copenhagen, New York, and Paris, and completing the 42 kilometers with a respectable time of 3 hours, 22 minutes and 50 seconds in the Copenhagen Marathon. In 2013, he completed the KMD Ironman Copenhagen in the time of 10:45:32 and is the first royal person to complete an Ironman.

Frederik is a keen sailor, being a competitive Farr 40 skipper as well as an accomplished Dragon boater. At the 2003 Dragon European Championship, where 51 boats participated, the Prince and his crew had been leading after four out of six races; they finished in fourth place. At the 2008 Farr 40 World Championship with 33 boats participating, Frederik and his crew also took fourth place. He was the first in his class boat in Fyn Cup 2010 in Denmark, and number 4 in the 2011 Danish Dragon Championship with 25 boats participating.

In 2016, in lieu of the Olympics in Rio, Frederik told press that he did not regret not chasing his dream to compete in the Olympics after meeting his wife. He had always thought about training and competing, but that would have required him to limit his activities and concentrate on training, instead he put his energy into other aspects of life. In October 2016, Frederik had to cancel his appearance at the royal reception for the Danish Olympic and Paralympic athletes after he fractured his spine while jumping on a trampoline with his eldest son.

Frederik also took part in the relay event during the 2019 IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Aarhus in March 2019.

Fredrik also competes in cross-country skiing, and has skied the Vasaloppet with Norway's Crown Prince Haakon.

International Olympic Committee

Prince Frederik as member of the International Olympic Committee, 2020

On 9 October 2009, Crown Prince Frederik was elected a member of the International Olympic Committee, replacing former Danish member Kaj Holm, who had reached the age of retirement. The Crown Prince's candidature was met with some skepticism in Denmark, as it would mean that the Crown Prince would be on a semi-political committee along with several people who are suspected or even convicted of criminal acts. Another concern was whether or not the Crown Prince's loyalty would be towards his country and government, as the Danish constitution prescribes, or with the International Olympic Committee, as is sworn upon election to the committee. The Crown Prince was given special observer status in National Olympic Committee and Sports Confederation of Denmark, as a way to allow him to work, without having political power.

Frederik announced that his point of focus and reason for joining the International Olympic Committee is to promote an active lifestyle among youth. He was elected for an eight-year term, and made it clear that he would terminate his membership upon ascending the Danish throne.

In 2012, Frederik carried the Olympic flame through Notting Hill, a neighbourhood in West London.

In 2016, Frederik faced criticism for voting against Danish Minister for Culture Bertel Haarder and a majority in the Danish Parliament's wishes on the subject of whether or not Russia should be allowed to compete at the 2016 Summer Olympics following allegations of state-sponsored doping.

On 19 June 2017, the Crown Prince announced that he would continue another term of 8 years. However, in 2021, Frederik was announced that he would step down as an active member of the International Olympic Committee at the committee's annual session prior to the 2020 Summer Olympics, citing a wish to intensify his everyday work as the reason for stepping down in the middle of his term.

Royal Run

In celebration of his 50th birthday, on 21 May 2018, Frederik initiated a public running event across the five biggest cities in Denmark called "Royal Run" with more than 70,000 participants including Frederik and his own family. The event was generally deemed as "exceeding expectations" by the public.

The event has since become annual and was continued in 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The 2020 version was cancelled due to the COVID-19 situation in Denmark.

Expeditions

The Crown Prince participated in an expedition to Mongolia in 1986. In 2000, the Crown Prince participated in "Expedition Sirius 2000", which was a four-month and 2,795 km dog-sledge expedition in the northern part of Greenland. The expedition Sirius marked the 50-year anniversary of the Sirius Patrol. Prince Frederik was part of the polar expedition as a film photographer, whose job was to ensure an optimal coverage of this event.

Crown Prince Frederik's Foundation

The purpose of the foundation is to provide financial assistance to students of social policy and sciences, for one year's study at Harvard. It also provides financial support for scientific expeditions, particularly to foreign parts of the world, such as Greenland and the Faroe Islands, and sports purposes, including those with a particularly social aspect.

Titles, honours and arms

Titles and styles

In addition to being Crown Prince since 1972, Frederik also held the title of Count of Monpezat since 29 April 2008, when Queen Margrethe II granted the title to her male-line descendants. On his accession he assumed the title and style "His Majesty The King".

Honours

The King has received a number of honours.

National honours

Orders and appointments

14 January 2024 – present: Sovereign of the Order of the Elephant
- 14 January 1972 – 14 January 2024: Knight of the Order of the Elephant (R.E.)
14 January 2024 – present: Grand Master of the Order of the Dannebrog
- 1 January 2004 – 14 January 2024: Grand Commander of the Order of the Dannebrog (S.Kmd)

Medals and decorations

Recipient of the Cross of Honour of the Order of the Dannebrog (D.Ht.)
Recipient of the Royal Medal of Recompense, 1st Class
Recipient of the Naval Long Service Medal
Recipient of the Homeguard Medal of Merit
Recipient of the Medal of Honour of the Reserve Officers League
Recipient of the Military Athletic Medal of Honour
Recipient of the 50th Anniversary Medal of the arrival of Queen Ingrid to Denmark
Recipient of the 50th Birthday Medal of Queen Margrethe II
Recipient of the Silver Anniversary Medal of Queen Margrethe II and Prince Henrik
Recipient of the Silver Jubilee Medal of Queen Margrethe II
Recipient of the 100th Anniversary Medal of the Birth of King Frederik IX
Recipient of the Queen Ingrid Commemorative Medal
Recipient of the 75th Birthday Medal of Prince Henrik
Recipient of the 350th Anniversary Medal of the Royal Danish Life Guards
Recipient of the 70th Birthday Medal of Queen Margrethe II
Recipient of the Ruby Jubilee Medal of Queen Margrethe II
Recipient of the 400th Anniversary Medal of the Guard Hussar Regiment
Recipient of the 75th Birthday Medal of Queen Margrethe II
Recipient of the Golden Anniversary Medal of Queen Margrethe II and Prince Henrik
Recipient of the Prince Henrik's Commemorative Medal
Recipient of the 80th Birthday Medal of Queen Margrethe II
Recipient of the Golden Jubilee Medal of Queen Margrethe II

Greenland: Recipient of the Nersornaat Medal for Meritorious Service, 1st Class

Foreign honours

Belgium: Grand Cordon of the Order of Leopold
Brazil:
- Grand Cross of the Order of the Southern Cross
- Grand Cross of the Order of Rio Branco
Bulgaria: Member 1st Class of the Order of the Balkan Mountains
Chile: Grand Cross of the Order of Merit
Estonia: Member 1st Class of the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana
Finland: Grand Cross of the Order of the White Rose of Finland
France: Grand Cross of the Order of National Merit
Germany: Grand Cross 1st Class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
Greece: Grand Cross of the Order of Honour
Iceland: Grand Cross of the Order of the Falcon
Italy: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
Japan: Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum
Jordan: Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Renaissance
Latvia: Commander Grand Cross of the Order of the Three Stars
Luxembourg: Grand Cross of the Order of Adolphe of Nassau
Kingdom of Nepal: Member of the Royal Order of Ojaswi Rajanya
Mexico: Sash of Special Category of the Order of the Aztec Eagle
Netherlands:
- Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Netherlands Lion
- Recipient of the King Willem-Alexander Inauguration Medal
Norway: Grand Cross of the Order of Saint Olav
Romania: Grand Cross of the Order of the Star of Romania
Spain: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic
Sweden:
- Knight of the Royal Order of the Seraphim
- Recipient of the 70th Birthday Badge Medal of King Carl XVI Gustaf
- Recipient of the Golden Jubilee Badge Medal of King Carl XVI Gustaf
Thailand: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Chula Chom Klao