Denmark's future king, Crown Prince Frederik, has evolved from a rebellious teen with a penchant for fast living into a climate-conscious family man, embodying the essence of the country's laid-back, liberal monarchy. While initially uncomfortable with his royal responsibilities, Frederik has matured over the years, gradually embracing his role and emerging as a passionate advocate for environmental issues.
In a speech celebrating his mother Queen Margrethe II's five-decade reign in 2022, Prince Frederik expressed his commitment to guiding the ship of the monarchy when the time comes. Now, with the queen's surprise abdication announcement on New Year's Eve, Frederik is poised to step into the role.
Frederik's journey to the throne saw him grapple with media attention and feelings of neglect during his younger years. However, after completing a university education at Aarhus University, including a stint at Harvard under the pseudonym Frederik Henriksen, he began to mature. Military training in Denmark's armed forces, including service in the navy's Frogman Corps, marked a turning point in his development.
Known for his daredevil side, which led to occasional hospital visits due to sledging and scooter accidents, Prince Frederik's popularity soared. Initiatives like the Royal Run, an annual series of fun runs across Denmark, further endeared him to the public. A sports enthusiast who attends concerts and football matches, Frederik has cultivated an accessible and relatable image.
His marriage to Australian lawyer Mary Donaldson, whom he met during the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, reflects a commitment to providing their four children with a normal upbringing. Described as modern, woke, and lovers of pop music, modern art, and sports, the couple represents a careful transition to contemporary times without signaling a revolutionary departure from the queen's legacy, according to historian Sebastian Olden-Jørgensen.