Who is Crown Prince Frederik, Denmark’s soon-to-be king?
Who is Crown Prince Frederik, Denmark’s soon-to-be king?
FILE - Danish Crown Prince Frederik delivers his speech to Danish Queen Margrethe II at the gala banquet at Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen, Denmark, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix via AP, File)
FILE - Danish Crown Prince Frederik, second from left, meets with the Mondavi family in Oakville on Friday, Jan. 20, 1989. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (AP Photo/David Weintraub, File)
FILE - Denmark’s Prince Joachim, left and his elder brother and best man, Crown Prince Frederik, arrive at Frederiksborg Castle church for Prince Joachim’s wedding to Alexandra Manley, in Copenhagen, Denmark, Saturday, Nov. 18, 1995. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (AP Photo/Bjarke Oersted, File)
FILE - Denmark’s Crown Prince Freserik takes part in a military drill as an aspirant to the Danish Navy’s elite Frogmen Corps, roughly comparable to the U.S. Navy Seals, in 1995. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (AP Photo/Keld Navntoft, File)
FILE - Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik and his fiancee Mary Donaldson, center, speak with Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II and Prince Henrik as they appear on the balcony of the Christian IX Palace at Amalienborg Castle, in Copenhagen, Wednesday, Oct.8, 2003. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (AP Photo/Heribert Proepper, File)
FILE - Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik and his fiancee Mary Donaldson show the engagement ring prior to their news conference at Fredensborg Castle, 35 kilometers (20 miles) north of Copenhagen, Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2003. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (AP Photo/Heribert Proepper, File)
FILE - Mary Donaldson, soon to be crown princess, and Danish Crown Prince Frederik arrive at Christiansborg castle Wednesday May 11, 2004, to attend the banquet for Danish dignitaries kicking off official wedding celebrations in Denmark. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (Thomas Wilmann/Ritzau Scanpix via AP, File)
FILE - Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik and his new wife Crown Princess Mary wave to the crowd following their wedding ceremony at the Our Lady’s Church in Copenhagen, Friday May 14, 2004. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (AP Photo/John McConnico, File)
FILE - Danish Crown Princess Mary, left Crown Prince Frederik and their son, Prince Christian, wave to the crowd at Ronne, Denmark at their arrival on board the royal danish vessel Dannebrog, Wednesday, June 21, 2006. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (Kim Agersten/Ritzau Scanpix via AP, File)
FILE - Crown Prince Frederik, right, and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark speak, prior to the start of the Olympic Group B women’s handball match between Denmark and France in the Faliro Sports Pavilion, at the Olympic Games 2004 in Athens, Sunday, Aug. 15, 2004. The 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, File)
FILE - Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik, left, and his wife Princess Mary greet Mia Formica, 4, on the steps of the Sydney Opera House in Sydney on Monday March 7, 2005. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (David Gray, Pool Photo via AP, File)
FILE - Danish Crown Prince Frederik and Princess Mary and their children, Prince Christian, and Princess Isabella, at the Copenhagen Navy Church, Holmens, Thursday, April 14 2011, during the baptism of their 3 month old twins. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (Tariq Mikkel /Ritzau Scanpix via AP, File)
FILE - Danish Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary visit the Danish Pavilion during the Business of Design Week in Hong Kong Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012.As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, File)
FILE - Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary wave from the tugboat “Svitzer Marysville” during its naming ceremony in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Nov 24, 2011. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign.(Scott Barbour, Pool Photo via AP, File)
FILE - Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik holds his daughter, and Crown Princess Mary her son, as they present their newborn twins to the media at the Rigshospitalet, in Copenhagen, Denmark, Friday, Jan. 14, 2011. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (Finn Frandsen/Ritzau Scanpix via AP, File)
FILE - Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik, left, and Crown Princess Mary smile as they attend the Premier’s Reading Challenge at Five Dock primary school Friday, Oct. 25, 2013 in Sydney, Australia. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (Brendon Thorne, Pool via AP, File)
FILE - Pope Francis talks with Danish Crown Prince Frederik, left, and his wife Crown Princess Mary, on the occasion of their private audience, at the Vatican, Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (Angelo Carconi/Pool Photo via AP, File)
FILE - Queen Margrethe of Denmark with her son Crown Prince Frederik at Marselisborg Castle in Aarhus, Denmark, April 16, 2017, to celebrate her 77th birthday. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (Henning Bagger/Ritzau Scanpix via AP, File)/
FILE - Denmark’s Crown Princess Mary gets out of an ‘igloo’, constructed with plastic blocks, as Crown Prince Frederik looks on, in Tokyo, Saturday, March 28, 2015. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara, File)
FILE - Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark meets business leaders at a conference in The Hague, Netherlands, Monday, June 20, 2022. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)
FILE - Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik walks on stage, during the opening of the United Nation’s new Climate Centre, The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tuesday, April 26, 2022. The 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (Martin Sylvest/Ritzau Scanpix via AP, File)
FILE - Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik, centre, takes part in the Royal Run Sonderjylland, in Sonderborg, Denmark, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (Claus Fisker/Ritzau Scanpix via AP, File)
FILE - Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik, Crown Princess Mary and Prince Christian are greeted by Queen Margrethe II, as they arrive for a gala dinner to celebrate Prince Christian’s 18th birthday, at Christiansborg Castle, in Copenhagen, Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II. (Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix via AP, File)
FILE - From left, Prince Vincent, Crown Prince Frederik, Prince Christian, Denmarks’ Queen Margrethe, Crown Princess Mary, Princess Isabella and Princess Josephine Prince attend Christian’s 18th birthday, at Frederik VIII’s Palace, Amalienborg Castle, in Copenhagen, Oct. 15, 2023. The 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix via AP, File)
FILE - Danish Crown Prince Frederik delivers his speech to Danish Queen Margrethe II at the gala banquet at Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen, Denmark, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix via AP, File)
FILE - Danish Crown Prince Frederik delivers his speech to Danish Queen Margrethe II at the gala banquet at Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen, Denmark, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix via AP, File)
FILE - Danish Crown Prince Frederik, second from left, meets with the Mondavi family in Oakville on Friday, Jan. 20, 1989. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (AP Photo/David Weintraub, File)
FILE - Danish Crown Prince Frederik, second from left, meets with the Mondavi family in Oakville on Friday, Jan. 20, 1989. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (AP Photo/David Weintraub, File)
FILE - Denmark’s Prince Joachim, left and his elder brother and best man, Crown Prince Frederik, arrive at Frederiksborg Castle church for Prince Joachim’s wedding to Alexandra Manley, in Copenhagen, Denmark, Saturday, Nov. 18, 1995. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (AP Photo/Bjarke Oersted, File)
FILE - Denmark’s Prince Joachim, left and his elder brother and best man, Crown Prince Frederik, arrive at Frederiksborg Castle church for Prince Joachim’s wedding to Alexandra Manley, in Copenhagen, Denmark, Saturday, Nov. 18, 1995. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (AP Photo/Bjarke Oersted, File)
FILE - Denmark’s Crown Prince Freserik takes part in a military drill as an aspirant to the Danish Navy’s elite Frogmen Corps, roughly comparable to the U.S. Navy Seals, in 1995. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (AP Photo/Keld Navntoft, File)
FILE - Denmark’s Crown Prince Freserik takes part in a military drill as an aspirant to the Danish Navy’s elite Frogmen Corps, roughly comparable to the U.S. Navy Seals, in 1995. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (AP Photo/Keld Navntoft, File)
FILE - Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik and his fiancee Mary Donaldson, center, speak with Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II and Prince Henrik as they appear on the balcony of the Christian IX Palace at Amalienborg Castle, in Copenhagen, Wednesday, Oct.8, 2003. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (AP Photo/Heribert Proepper, File)
FILE - Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik and his fiancee Mary Donaldson, center, speak with Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II and Prince Henrik as they appear on the balcony of the Christian IX Palace at Amalienborg Castle, in Copenhagen, Wednesday, Oct.8, 2003. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (AP Photo/Heribert Proepper, File)
FILE - Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik and his fiancee Mary Donaldson show the engagement ring prior to their news conference at Fredensborg Castle, 35 kilometers (20 miles) north of Copenhagen, Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2003. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (AP Photo/Heribert Proepper, File)
FILE - Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik and his fiancee Mary Donaldson show the engagement ring prior to their news conference at Fredensborg Castle, 35 kilometers (20 miles) north of Copenhagen, Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2003. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (AP Photo/Heribert Proepper, File)
FILE - Mary Donaldson, soon to be crown princess, and Danish Crown Prince Frederik arrive at Christiansborg castle Wednesday May 11, 2004, to attend the banquet for Danish dignitaries kicking off official wedding celebrations in Denmark. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (Thomas Wilmann/Ritzau Scanpix via AP, File)
FILE - Mary Donaldson, soon to be crown princess, and Danish Crown Prince Frederik arrive at Christiansborg castle Wednesday May 11, 2004, to attend the banquet for Danish dignitaries kicking off official wedding celebrations in Denmark. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (Thomas Wilmann/Ritzau Scanpix via AP, File)
FILE - Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik and his new wife Crown Princess Mary wave to the crowd following their wedding ceremony at the Our Lady’s Church in Copenhagen, Friday May 14, 2004. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (AP Photo/John McConnico, File)
FILE - Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik and his new wife Crown Princess Mary wave to the crowd following their wedding ceremony at the Our Lady’s Church in Copenhagen, Friday May 14, 2004. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (AP Photo/John McConnico, File)
FILE - Danish Crown Princess Mary, left Crown Prince Frederik and their son, Prince Christian, wave to the crowd at Ronne, Denmark at their arrival on board the royal danish vessel Dannebrog, Wednesday, June 21, 2006. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (Kim Agersten/Ritzau Scanpix via AP, File)
FILE - Danish Crown Princess Mary, left Crown Prince Frederik and their son, Prince Christian, wave to the crowd at Ronne, Denmark at their arrival on board the royal danish vessel Dannebrog, Wednesday, June 21, 2006. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (Kim Agersten/Ritzau Scanpix via AP, File)
FILE - Crown Prince Frederik, right, and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark speak, prior to the start of the Olympic Group B women’s handball match between Denmark and France in the Faliro Sports Pavilion, at the Olympic Games 2004 in Athens, Sunday, Aug. 15, 2004. The 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, File)
FILE - Crown Prince Frederik, right, and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark speak, prior to the start of the Olympic Group B women’s handball match between Denmark and France in the Faliro Sports Pavilion, at the Olympic Games 2004 in Athens, Sunday, Aug. 15, 2004. The 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, File)
FILE - Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik, left, and his wife Princess Mary greet Mia Formica, 4, on the steps of the Sydney Opera House in Sydney on Monday March 7, 2005. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (David Gray, Pool Photo via AP, File)
FILE - Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik, left, and his wife Princess Mary greet Mia Formica, 4, on the steps of the Sydney Opera House in Sydney on Monday March 7, 2005. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (David Gray, Pool Photo via AP, File)
FILE - Danish Crown Prince Frederik and Princess Mary and their children, Prince Christian, and Princess Isabella, at the Copenhagen Navy Church, Holmens, Thursday, April 14 2011, during the baptism of their 3 month old twins. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (Tariq Mikkel /Ritzau Scanpix via AP, File)
FILE - Danish Crown Prince Frederik and Princess Mary and their children, Prince Christian, and Princess Isabella, at the Copenhagen Navy Church, Holmens, Thursday, April 14 2011, during the baptism of their 3 month old twins. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (Tariq Mikkel /Ritzau Scanpix via AP, File)
FILE - Danish Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary visit the Danish Pavilion during the Business of Design Week in Hong Kong Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012.As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, File)
FILE - Danish Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary visit the Danish Pavilion during the Business of Design Week in Hong Kong Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012.As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, File)
FILE - Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary wave from the tugboat “Svitzer Marysville” during its naming ceremony in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Nov 24, 2011. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign.(Scott Barbour, Pool Photo via AP, File)
FILE - Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary wave from the tugboat “Svitzer Marysville” during its naming ceremony in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Nov 24, 2011. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign.(Scott Barbour, Pool Photo via AP, File)
FILE - Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik holds his daughter, and Crown Princess Mary her son, as they present their newborn twins to the media at the Rigshospitalet, in Copenhagen, Denmark, Friday, Jan. 14, 2011. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (Finn Frandsen/Ritzau Scanpix via AP, File)
FILE - Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik holds his daughter, and Crown Princess Mary her son, as they present their newborn twins to the media at the Rigshospitalet, in Copenhagen, Denmark, Friday, Jan. 14, 2011. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (Finn Frandsen/Ritzau Scanpix via AP, File)
FILE - Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik, left, and Crown Princess Mary smile as they attend the Premier’s Reading Challenge at Five Dock primary school Friday, Oct. 25, 2013 in Sydney, Australia. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (Brendon Thorne, Pool via AP, File)
FILE - Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik, left, and Crown Princess Mary smile as they attend the Premier’s Reading Challenge at Five Dock primary school Friday, Oct. 25, 2013 in Sydney, Australia. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (Brendon Thorne, Pool via AP, File)
FILE - Pope Francis talks with Danish Crown Prince Frederik, left, and his wife Crown Princess Mary, on the occasion of their private audience, at the Vatican, Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (Angelo Carconi/Pool Photo via AP, File)
FILE - Pope Francis talks with Danish Crown Prince Frederik, left, and his wife Crown Princess Mary, on the occasion of their private audience, at the Vatican, Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (Angelo Carconi/Pool Photo via AP, File)
FILE - Queen Margrethe of Denmark with her son Crown Prince Frederik at Marselisborg Castle in Aarhus, Denmark, April 16, 2017, to celebrate her 77th birthday. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (Henning Bagger/Ritzau Scanpix via AP, File)/
FILE - Queen Margrethe of Denmark with her son Crown Prince Frederik at Marselisborg Castle in Aarhus, Denmark, April 16, 2017, to celebrate her 77th birthday. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (Henning Bagger/Ritzau Scanpix via AP, File)/
FILE - Denmark’s Crown Princess Mary gets out of an ‘igloo’, constructed with plastic blocks, as Crown Prince Frederik looks on, in Tokyo, Saturday, March 28, 2015. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara, File)
FILE - Denmark’s Crown Princess Mary gets out of an ‘igloo’, constructed with plastic blocks, as Crown Prince Frederik looks on, in Tokyo, Saturday, March 28, 2015. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara, File)
FILE - Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark meets business leaders at a conference in The Hague, Netherlands, Monday, June 20, 2022. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)
FILE - Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark meets business leaders at a conference in The Hague, Netherlands, Monday, June 20, 2022. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)
FILE - Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik walks on stage, during the opening of the United Nation’s new Climate Centre, The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tuesday, April 26, 2022. The 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (Martin Sylvest/Ritzau Scanpix via AP, File)
FILE - Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik walks on stage, during the opening of the United Nation’s new Climate Centre, The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tuesday, April 26, 2022. The 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (Martin Sylvest/Ritzau Scanpix via AP, File)
FILE - Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik, centre, takes part in the Royal Run Sonderjylland, in Sonderborg, Denmark, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (Claus Fisker/Ritzau Scanpix via AP, File)
FILE - Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik, centre, takes part in the Royal Run Sonderjylland, in Sonderborg, Denmark, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (Claus Fisker/Ritzau Scanpix via AP, File)
FILE - Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik, Crown Princess Mary and Prince Christian are greeted by Queen Margrethe II, as they arrive for a gala dinner to celebrate Prince Christian’s 18th birthday, at Christiansborg Castle, in Copenhagen, Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II. (Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix via AP, File)
FILE - Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik, Crown Princess Mary and Prince Christian are greeted by Queen Margrethe II, as they arrive for a gala dinner to celebrate Prince Christian’s 18th birthday, at Christiansborg Castle, in Copenhagen, Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. As a teenager, Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight, and pondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king. All doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II. (Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix via AP, File)
FILE - From left, Prince Vincent, Crown Prince Frederik, Prince Christian, Denmarks’ Queen Margrethe, Crown Princess Mary, Princess Isabella and Princess Josephine Prince attend Christian’s 18th birthday, at Frederik VIII’s Palace, Amalienborg Castle, in Copenhagen, Oct. 15, 2023. The 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix via AP, File)
FILE - From left, Prince Vincent, Crown Prince Frederik, Prince Christian, Denmarks’ Queen Margrethe, Crown Princess Mary, Princess Isabella and Princess Josephine Prince attend Christian’s 18th birthday, at Frederik VIII’s Palace, Amalienborg Castle, in Copenhagen, Oct. 15, 2023. The 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. (Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix via AP, File)
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — As a teenager, Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight and wondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king.
Such doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. The crown prince will become King Frederik X.
An athlete, decorated military officer and rock music fan, Frederik has a more informal style than his mother but is equally popular in the Scandinavian country.
Margrethe stunned the nation when she announced during her traditional New Year’s Eve speech that she would step down, citing health reasons. A royal palace spokeswoman told the Berlingske newspaper that the queen informed her sons about her decision only three days before the announcement.
The crown prince, whose full name is Frederik André Henrik Christian, was born on May 26, 1968, as the first child of Margrethe and her husband, Prince Henrik, who died in 2018. His younger brother, Prince Joachim, was born in 1969.
Shy and reserved as a child, Frederik felt uneasy about the idea of ascending the throne, and the intense attention and scrutiny that come with it. In a 1996 interview with Berlingske Tidende, the crown prince said that in his teens he sometimes wondered whether he could escape his fate.
“I thought it was too uncomfortable,” Frederik said. “You knew you were going to be so public, so known, so accessible to everyone and so depicted. I didn’t like that.”
As an adult he grew more comfortable with his position as heir to the throne and prepared himself for it. Frederik, who in addition to Danish speaks English, French and German, graduated from Aarhus University with a master’s degree in political science. His studies included two semesters at Harvard University.
He received military training in several branches of Denmark’s armed forces including as a frogman in an elite naval unit. Frederik got the nickname “Pingo” because of an episode when his wetsuit was filled with water and he waddled like a penguin, he said in a 2010 interview with Danish public broadcaster DR.
He learned about diplomacy during postings at the Danish Embassy in Paris and at Denmark’s United Nations mission in New York. Like Britain’s King Charles III, he has shown a special interest in climate change and other environmental issues.
At home in Denmark, Frederik is known for being informal and down-to-earth. While he attends official functions in medal-studded uniforms, he can occasionally be spotted blending in with the crowds riding a bicycle with his bodyguards in tow or high-fiving teenagers.
A keen sportsman, Frederik has participated in six marathons, one Ironman triathlon and a dog-sled expedition in northern Greenland. For several years he was Denmark’s member of the International Olympic Committee.
Some Danes feel so comfortable around the crown prince they address him without his royal title.
Lars Hovbakke Sørensen, a historian and expert on the Danish royal house, said Frederik has a more contemporary style than his mother, effortlessly engaging in casual conversation with regular people, though he is less astute than the queen in delivering formal speeches.
While Margrethe is known for her appreciation of classical music, ballet and art, Frederik is more into rock music and sports, and younger generations find him relatable, Hovbakke Sørensen said.
“People expect the monarchs to be more informal, to be more like themselves. They don’t want this very large distance to the royal persons as we have seen before,” he said.
Laura Larsen, a 27-year-old social housing employee in Copenhagen, said she believes Danes will like the new king.
“He is going to be quite a relaxed king compared to our current monarch, compared to what we’re seeing,” she said.
Like many of his contemporaries in Europe’s royal houses, Frederik found his spouse outside the aristocracy. He met Australian-born Mary Donaldson, the daughter of Scottish immigrants, in a bar during the Sydney Olympics in 2000. They married four years later.
The couple have four children: Prince Christian, 18; Princess Isabella, 16; and 13-year-old twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine.
Once Margrethe has abdicated, Christian will take over the title of crown prince and become first in line to succeed his father.
Mary will become queen of Denmark. Her unlikely journey from the island of Tasmania to become the world’s first Australian-born queen on the other side of the world has captivated Danes and Australians alike.
At a Jan. 3 reception for foreign diplomats in Copenhagen, Australia’s ambassador to Denmark, Kerin Ann Burns Ayyalaraju, said Australians are “incredibly proud” of Mary, who often has been described in magazines as a fashion icon.
“It is incredible to see how she has become such a significant part of Danish society,” the ambassador said.
When Frederik turned 50, Mary praised her husband in a witty and romantic speech in fluent Danish.
“You have always pushed the boundaries, and you have insisted on shaping the world around you to fit the person and have not allowed the structures in that world to define you,” Mary said.
___
Associated Press reporter Anders Garde Kongshaug contributed to this report.