Interested in reading up on the Danish royal family? While the British monarchy usually receives the lion’s share of the global public’s attention, recently, the Danes have been enjoying a moment in the spotlight. The surprise abdication of Queen Margrethe II in late December 2023 received widespread international press coverage, as did the coronation of her son King Frederik X in January 2024. Add in a glamorous, foreign-born Queen, a young Crown Prince, and a little bit of scandal—before she abdicated, Margrethe stripped the royal titles of some of her grandchildren—and you have a family ripe with intrigue.
Below, a guide to the main members of the Danish Royal Family.
King Frederik X
Photo: Getty Images
The reigning monarch of Denmark and son of Queen Margrethe II and Prince Henrik. He studied at Aarhus University and later, Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. Afterwards, he served in all three branches of Denmark’s military.
He married Mary Donaldson in 2004. They have four children: Christian, Isabella, and royal twins Vincent and Josephine. Their son Christian will eventually succeed his father as the King of Denmark. Currently, they live at the Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen.
He ascended to the throne in January 2024 after the surprise abdication of his mother, Queen Margrethe II. Frederik is also known for his passion for environmental causes.
Queen Mary
Crown Princess Mary of Denmark at her husband’s 50th birthday gala banquet on May 26, 2018 in Copenhagen.Photo: Getty Images
