Birthday of King Frederik X of Denmark Date in the current year: May 26, 2024

Frederik was born on May 26, 1968 to Princess Margrethe (future Queen Margrethe II of Denmark), the oldest daughter of the then King Frederik IX, and her husband Prince Henrik. He was named Frederik after his maternal grandfather according to the royal tradition of naming the heir apparent either Christian or Frederik. In 1972, Frederik’s mother ascended to the throne as Queen Margrethe II, and he became Crown Prince of Denmark.

Upon graduating from high school, Frederik studied political science at Aarhus University and spent a year abroad studying at Harvard University, where he was enrolled under the name Frederik Henriksen. While in the United States, he worked with the Danish United Nations mission in New York City for several months.

In 1995, Frederik became the first member of the Danish royal family to gain a master’s degree. From October 1998 to October 1999, he worked at the Danish Embassy in Paris. He also completed extensive military studies and training in all three branches of the military. Frederik remained active in the military until his accession to the throne in 2024.

In 2000, Frederik went to the Summer Olympics in Sidney, where he met Australian marketing consultant Mary Elizabeth Donaldson at a bar. The two were in a long-distance relationship until December 2001, when Mary moved to Denmark. The Queen gave her consent to their marriage in 2003, and the wedding took place in May 2004. The couple have four children together: Christian, Isabella, and twins Vincent and Josephine.

Queen Margrethe II announced her abdication during her New Year’s Eve address on December 31, 2023, becoming the first Danish monarch to voluntarily abdicate since King Eric II in 1146. Her abdication went into effect on January 14, 2024 (the 52nd anniversary of the Queen’s reign), and Crown Prince Frederik ascended the throne as King Frederik X.

King Frederik has a special interest in climate change, sustainability, and scientific research projects. He is also an avid athlete who have competed in cross-country skiing and encourages the development of sports in the country. King Frederik is an honorary member and patron of various sports organizations and used to be a member of the International Olympic Committee.

Frederik’s birthday has been a flag-raising day in Denmark since he became crown prince in 1972. Since his accession to the throne in 2024, it has been celebrated with a little more fanfare. Just like his mother before him, the king and the royal family would make a public appearance on the balcony of either the Marseliborg Palace or one of the palaces in Amalienborg, depending on where the king spends his birthday, and the Royal Life Guard in red full-dress uniforms would carry out a grand changing of the guard ceremony on the palace square.