Monarchy of Denmark facts for kids
Quick facts for kids King of Denmark |
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| Konge af Danmark | |
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Royal coat of arms of Denmark
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| Incumbent | |
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| Frederik X since 14 January 2024 |
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| Details | |
| Style | His Majesty |
| Heir apparent | Christian, Crown Prince of Denmark |
| First monarch | Ongendus (first king known by name) |
| Formation | 710 |
| Residences | See list |
The monarchy of Denmark is a very old and important part of the Kingdom of Denmark. This kingdom includes Denmark itself, plus the special areas of the Faroe Islands and Greenland. Denmark became a kingdom way back in the 700s. Its rulers were called "kings" even then.
The country we know today was brought together by the Viking kings Gorm the Old and Harald Bluetooth in the 900s. For a long time, kings were chosen by election. But in the 1600s, during the time of King Frederick III, it became a hereditary role. This means the crown passed down through the family.
A big change happened in 1849. Denmark got its first democratic rulebook, called a constitution. This made Denmark a constitutional monarchy. This means the king or queen's power is limited by laws. Today, the Danish Royal Family is part of the House of Glücksburg. This family also provided kings and queens for Norway, the United Kingdom, and Greece.
The Danish monarch's job is mostly symbolic. They don't make political decisions. Instead, they give out awards and officially appoint the prime minister. The monarch and their family also do many official, ceremonial, and diplomatic duties.
King Frederik X became king on January 14, 2024. He took over after his mother, Queen Margrethe II, decided to step down. Danish kings have traditionally been named "Frederik" or "Christian." So, King Frederik's son, Crown Prince Christian, is next in line.
Contents
History of Denmark's Kings and Queens
The First Kings
The Danish monarchy is more than 1200 years old. The line of kings can be traced back to Harthacnut, father of Gorm the Old. Gorm ruled in the early 900s. But the kingdom itself is likely even older.
Denmark was united and officially became Christian in 965 AD by Harald Bluetooth. This story is carved on the famous Jelling stones. We don't know exactly how big Harald's kingdom was. But it likely included Jutland, the Danish islands, and parts of southern Sweden. Harald's son, Sweyn Forkbeard, and his grandson, Cnut the Great, conquered England. Cnut's rule was the peak of the Danish Viking Age. His empire included England, Denmark, and Norway.
In 1448, the last king from the old family line died. A new king was chosen: Christian I. He was from the House of Oldenburg family.
When Kings Had All the Power
At first, Danish kings were chosen by election. But usually, the oldest son of the king was picked. Over time, kings had to sign agreements that limited their power.
In 1657, King Frederick III started a war against Sweden. It went very badly for Denmark. One reason was that Denmark's ally, the Netherlands, stayed neutral. Another reason was that the Belts (waterways) froze over. This allowed the Swedish king to march his army across the ice to attack Zealand. Denmark had to give up many lands, including parts of Sweden and Norway.
But the war wasn't over. The Swedish king decided to try and take over all of Denmark. His army attacked Copenhagen. This time, the Danes fought back. King Frederick III stayed in the city and told his people to resist. He said he would "die in his nest." The Netherlands also sent help, saving Copenhagen.
The Swedish king died in 1660. A new peace treaty was signed. Sweden gave back some lands but kept others. This treaty set the borders between Norway, Denmark, and Sweden that we see today. After this war, the king gained absolute power. This meant the king could do almost anything without needing approval. This absolute rule was written into a law called the King's Law in 1665.
Becoming a Constitutional Monarchy
In 1848, King Frederick VII became king. People immediately asked for a new constitution and an end to absolute rule. King Frederick VII agreed. In March 1849, he accepted that absolute rule would end. This led to the June Constitution of 1849. This new constitution made Denmark a constitutional monarchy.
King Frederick VII had no children. So, Prince Christian of Glücksborg was chosen as the next in line in 1853. This was approved by other powerful European countries. When King Frederick VII died in 1863, Christian IX became the first Danish king from the House of Glücksburg.
Christian IX became known as the Father-in-law of Europe. This was because his children married into many other royal families in Europe. For example, his daughter Alexandra married King Edward VII of the United Kingdom. His son Vilhelm became King George I of Greece. Even today, the Danish Royal Family is related to most other royal families in Europe.
In 1920, there was a big political problem called the Easter Crisis of 1920. King Christian X fired the elected government. He had the power to do this under the constitution. The king and the government disagreed about whether a part of Germany, called Schleswig, should rejoin Denmark. The prime minister refused the king's order and resigned.
King Christian X then fired the rest of the government. This caused protests and a very tense situation in Denmark. For a few days, it looked like the monarchy might be overthrown. But the king backed down and fired his own new government. This was the last time a Danish monarch made a big decision without the government's support. After this, King Christian X accepted that his role was mostly symbolic.
In 1953, a new law was passed about who could become king or queen. It allowed women to inherit the throne. This meant Queen Margrethe II became the next in line after her father, Frederik IX. She became queen in 1972 and reigned until 2024.
In 2009, the law was changed again. Now, the first-born child becomes heir to the throne, no matter if they are a boy or a girl.
The King's Role and Duties
The Danish Constitution says the Danish monarch is the head of state. They are also the symbolic leader of the Danish Armed Forces. In theory, the monarch has executive and legislative power. But in reality, these powers are used by the government.
Today, the monarch gives most of their power to the government ministers. This allows the king to focus on a ceremonial role. The prime minister and other ministers meet regularly with the monarch. The monarch officially approves new laws. The prime minister and foreign minister also keep the monarch updated on political news.
The monarch hosts visits from leaders of other countries. They also visit other countries themselves. They receive official papers from foreign ambassadors and sign papers for Danish ambassadors. After an election, the monarch asks the leader of the party with the most support to form a new government. Once the government is ready, the monarch officially appoints it.
Greenland and the Faroe Islands
Greenland and the Faroe Islands are part of the Kingdom of Denmark. This means the Danish monarch is also their head of state.
In 2009, Greenland voted for more self-rule. The Danish Parliament passed a law that recognizes Greenlanders as a people under international law. This gives Greenlanders the chance to gain full independence in the future if they choose.
Who Becomes King or Queen?
Since 2009, Denmark has had a rule called absolute primogeniture. This means the oldest child, whether boy or girl, inherits the throne.
The Danish Act of Succession from 1953 says that only people descended from King Christian X and his wife, Alexandrine of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, can inherit the throne. They must also be born from marriages approved by the monarch. If a royal family member marries without the monarch's permission, they lose their right to the throne.
The monarch of Denmark must be a member of the Danish National Church. This church is also called the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Denmark. It is the official state church. The monarch helps with church duties, like appointing new bishops.
Christian, Crown Prince of Denmark became the heir apparent on January 14, 2024. This happened when his grandmother, Margrethe II, stepped down and his father, King Frederik X, became king.
Rules for Royals
After Denmark became a hereditary monarchy in 1660, a law called the Kongelov (King's Law) was made. It said the king ruled "by the grace of God." Most of this law has been changed over time. But two parts are still in place.
Article 21 says that no royal prince living in Denmark can marry or leave the country without the king's permission. This means Danish princes living in other countries (like those in the Greek or Norwegian royal families) don't need permission. But those living in Denmark do.
Article 25 says that royal family members can only be judged by the King. This means they don't go to regular courts.
The Danish monarch also has the power to give out new noble titles.
Royal Homes
The royal palaces became state property in 1849. Since then, some of these palaces are used by the monarchy. The agreement for their use is renewed when a new monarch takes the throne.
Current Royal Residences
Amalienborg Palace
The monarch uses the four palaces at Amalienborg in Copenhagen. These palaces are arranged around an octagon-shaped courtyard. Currently, Queen Margrethe lives in Christian IX's Palace. King Frederik lives in Frederik VIII's Palace. Christian VIII's Palace has apartments for other royals. Christian VII's Palace is used for official events and guests.
Amalienborg was built in the 1750s for four noble families. But when Christiansborg Palace burned down in 1794, the royal family bought these palaces and moved in.
You can visit some parts of Christian VIII's Palace and Christian VII's Palace on guided tours.
Christiansborg Palace
Parts of Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen are also used by the monarch. This is where official events like banquets, state dinners, and meetings of the Council of State take place. Royal christenings and other ceremonies are also held here. The Royal Stables, which provide horse-drawn carriages for the royal family, are also at Christiansborg.
The current palace is the third one built on this spot. The first castle was built in 1167. The main part of today's palace was finished in 1928. It looks like an old style called Neo-Baroque. The chapel is from 1826 and is in a Neoclassical style.
The royal parts of the palace are open to the public when they are not being used for official events.
Fredensborg Palace
Another royal home is Fredensborg Palace north of Copenhagen. It is mainly used in the spring and autumn. It is often where state visits and royal family events happen.
You can visit the palace on guided tours when it's not being used by the royal family.
Graasten Palace
In Jutland, Graasten Palace is available to the monarch. It was the summer home of King Frederik IX and Queen Ingrid. Since Queen Ingrid's death in 2000, the Queen has used Graasten for a summer vacation each year.
Hermitage Hunting Lodge
The hunting lodge called the Eremitage Palace is in the Dyrehaven deer park north of Copenhagen. It is used during royal hunts in Dyrehaven.
Sorgenfri Palace
Finally, Sorgenfri Palace is also available to the monarch. It was the home of Hereditary Prince Knud and Hereditary Princess Caroline Mathilde. It is not currently used for official royal duties.
Marselisborg Palace
Besides these palaces owned by the state, Marselisborg Palace in Aarhus is privately owned by Queen Margrethe. She uses it as her summer home and during the Easter and Christmas holidays.
The Royal Family
In the Kingdom of Denmark, all members of the ruling family who have the title Prince or Princess of Denmark are part of the Danish royal family. It can be tricky to define exactly who is a member. The Queen and her siblings belong to the House of Glücksburg.
Main Members of the Royal Family
The main members of the Danish royal family include:
- Frederik X The King (The monarch)
- Queen Mary of Denmark The Queen (The King's wife)
- Crown Prince Christian (The Crown Prince, next in line to the throne)
- Princess Isabella (The King's older daughter)
- Prince Vincent (The King's younger son)
- Princess Josephine (The King's younger daughter)
- Queen Mary of Denmark The Queen (The King's wife)
- Queen Margrethe II (The former monarch, The King's mother)
- Prince Joachim (The King's younger brother)
- Princess Marie (Prince Joachim's second wife)
- Count Nikolai (Prince Joachim's oldest son)
- Count Felix (Prince Joachim's second son)
- Count Henrik (Prince Joachim's youngest son)
- Countess Athena (Prince Joachim's daughter)
- The Dowager Princess of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg (Princess Benedikte, The King's aunt)
- The Dowager Queen of the Hellenes (Queen Anne-Marie, The King's aunt)
Other Close Family Members
The wider Danish royal family includes people who don't have the title of Prince or Princess of Denmark. But they are closely connected to Queen Margrethe and sometimes attend royal events. These can include:
- The Prince of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg (Prince Gustav, Princess Benedikte's son)
- The Princess of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg (Princess Carina, Prince Gustav's wife)
- Prince Gustav Albrecht of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg (Prince Gustav's son)
- Princess Mafalda of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg (Prince Gustav's daughter)
- Princess Alexandra of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg (Princess Benedikte's oldest daughter)
- Count Michael Ahlefeldt-Laurvig-Bille (Princess Alexandra's husband)
- Count Richard von Pfeil und Klein-Ellguth (Princess Alexandra's son)
- Countess Ingrid von Pfeil und Klein-Ellguth (Princess Alexandra's daughter)
- Princess Nathalie of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg (Princess Benedikte's youngest daughter)
- Konstantin Johannsmann (Princess Nathalie's son)
- Louisa Johannsmann (Princess Nathalie's daughter)
- Count Ingolf of Rosenborg (cousin of Queen Margrethe)
- Countess Sussie of Rosenborg (Count Ingolf's wife)
- Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg (Prince Joachim's ex-wife, mother of Count Nikolai and Count Felix)
Greek Royal Family Connection
Many members of the Greek royal family are also part of the Danish royal family. They have the title of Prince or Princess of Greece and Denmark. This is because they are descendants of Christian IX of Denmark.
Royal Titles and Style
Danish monarchs have had many royal titles over time. Historically, they were also called 'King of the Wends' and 'King of the Goths'. When Queen Margrethe II became queen in 1972, she only used the title 'Queen of Denmark'.
Kings and queens of Denmark are addressed as 'Your Majesty'. Princes and princesses are called His or Her Royal Highness.
When Frederik X became king in 2024, his official title became By the Grace of God, King of Denmark, Count of Monpezat. The title 'Count of Monpezat' was given to all male descendants by Queen Margrethe II in 2008.
See also
- Danish Realm
- Throne Chair of Denmark
- List of Danish monarchs
- Succession to the Danish throne
- List of orders, decorations, and medals of the Kingdom of Denmark
- Royal Life Guards (Denmark)
- Royal Stables (Denmark)
- Roskilde Cathedral
- Danish colonial empire
- Danish monarchs' family tree
- Royal mottos of Danish monarchs
- Kong Christian stod ved højen mast
- Royal Danish Ceremonial Car "Store Krone"
- Primogenitor
