King Frederik X's Life in Photos

crown prince frederik of denmark receives from the palace balcony the people's homage on his 50th birthday
King Frederik X's Life in PhotosPatrick van Katwijk - Getty Images

In January, Crown Prince Frederik became King Frederik X, following his mother Queen Margrethe's abdication.

Frederik, who is 55 years old, is one of the youngest monarchs in the world—the only two younger than him are King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan, 43, and the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, also 43. (Spain's King Felipe VI is also 55 years old, but turns 56 in just two weeks.)

King Frederik is an active outdoorsman, passionate environmentalist, and served in the Danish Navy. "I don't want to lock myself in a fortress. I want to be myself, a human being," he said years ago. Here, as Denmark's new monarch begins his reign, take a look back at Frederik's life in photos:

1968

Frederik was born on May 26, 1968, the oldest son of then-Princess Margrethe and her husband, Prince Henrik. Here, the new parents introduce their baby to the world at Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen.

prince frederik of denmark
Keystone - Getty Images

1968

He was baptized at at Holmen Church Copenhagen on June 24, 1968.

prince frederik christening
Keystone - Getty Images

1968

The Danish royal tradition is that Kings are named Frederik and Christian alternating—Margrethe took the "Christian" cycle, so her son was Frederik. Here, King Frederik IX, Princess Margrethe, and baby Crown Prince Frederik (future King Frederik X).

denmark royals queen margrethe ii
ALLAN MOE - Getty Images

1968

The young family of three during summer 1968.

margrethe, henrik and frederik
Keystone - Getty Images

1970

The young prince picks flowers in Copenhagen.

prince frederik of denmark
Keystone - Getty Images

1970

During a visit to Greenland, the Danish royal family poses for a photo: Princess Margrethe and Prince Henrik with their sons Princes Joachim and Frederik.

danish royal family
Keystone - Getty Images

1972

Prince Henrik carries Frederik during a holiday at Marselisborg Castle in Aarhus, Jutland. In 1972, Frederik became Crown Prince when his mother ascended to the throne as Queen Margrethe II.

prince henrik crown prince frederik
Hulton Archive - Getty Images

1973

Queen Margrethe pushes her son Prince Frederik on a sled, while they holiday in Megene, France.

danish royal family on holiday
Keystone - Getty Images

1973

Princes Joachim (left) and Frederik (right) with their parents on board the Royal Yacht Dannebrog during a visit to Bornholm.

danish royal family
Keystone - Getty Images

1975

Naturally, Frederik is a skier. Queen Margrethe poses with her sons on the slopes in Norway.

queen margrethe of denmark
Keystone - Getty Images

1977

Another family vacation to Norway, this time in winter 1977.

danish royal family on holiday
Keystone - Getty Images

1977

Prince Frederik and his brother Prince Joachim share a moment at a "fun park" together.

frederik and joachim of denmark
Keystone - Getty Images

1979

Frederik and Joachim were often dressed in matching outfits.

royalty queen elizabeth ii state visit denmark
PA Images - Getty Images

1980

As Prince Henrik is from France, the Danish royals would spend much time there over the years. Here, they are at their Chateau De Caix in southwestern France.

meeting with denmark's royal family in 1980
Bertrand Rindoff Petroff - Getty Images

1982

Prince Frederik played tennis as a young boy.

denmark royals queen margrethe ii
ERIK JEPSEN - Getty Images

1983

The royals on a ski vacation in Courchevel.

la reine margrethe ii en famille a courchevel
Laurent MAOUS - Getty Images

1986

In 1986, Frederik finished his secondary schooling and began university at Aarhus University.

la famille royale danoise en vacances dans le lot
PAT - Getty Images

1986

He also trained as a soldier with the Danish military.

denmark royals queen margrethe ii frederik
JOERGEN JESSEN - Getty Images

1989

While at university, he spent a year at Harvard, where he enrolled under the name Frederik Henriksen.

frederik
ullstein bild - Getty Images

1995

His younger brother, Prince Joachim, got married in 1995, and he attended the wedding along with his parents.

prince joachim wedding
Antony Jones/Julian Parker - Getty Images

1998

Frederik got his his MSc degree in political science from Aarhus University in 1995, and worked at the Danish Embassy in France in the late 90s. He became the first member of the Danish royal family to get a university education, and then became the first to obtain a master's degree.

state visit of the emperor, and empress of japan to denmark 1998
Julian Parker - Getty Images

2000

He's quite adventurous. Here, Prince Frederik and his companion, Michael Bank, drive their dog sledge in an "Expedition Sirius 2000," that will take them 3,500 kilometers over four months. Per the original caption, "The trip is to commemorate the founding in 1950 of the Sirius patrol, which monitors the northern fringes of the Danish territory."

denmark greenland prince frederik
VICTORIA FILM/TV2 - Getty Images

2000

In 2000, he went to the Sydney Olympic games, where he met his future wife, Mary Donaldson, at a pub.

Read more: Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark's Royal Love Story

oly2000 han den bra frederik
ODD ANDERSEN - Getty Images

Queen Margrethe's mother, Queen Ingrid, died in 2002. Prince Frederik accompanied his mother behind the coffin during the funeral.

queen ingrid the queen mother of denmark's funeral
Julian Parker - Getty Images

2001

Prince Frederik chats with another heir to a European throne, Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden.

prince frederik and princess victoria
Pool BENAINOUS/SCORCELLETTI - Getty Images

2001

Prince Frederik smiled as he attended the royal wedding of Prince Haakon of Norway to the soon-to-be Princess Mette-Marit.

the wedding of crown prince haakon of norway mette marit
Antony Jones - Getty Images

2002

An early public appearance for Prince Frederik and Mary, at a Wedding together.

denmark royals
KELD NAVNTOFTKELD NAVNTOFT - Getty Images

2003

Prince Frederik goes for a jog while visiting Ireland. He's a very active royal—enjoying sailing, tennis, running, golf, triathlon, and skiing.

crown prince frederik of denmark jogging in ireland
Antony Jones - Getty Images

2003

In 2003, the engagement of Frederik and Mary is announced.

engagement of crown prince frederik mary donaldson
Mark Cuthbert - Getty Images

2004

They married in a spectacular royal wedding on May 14, 2004 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

wedding of danish crown prince frederik and mary donaldson
Ian Waldie - Getty Images

2006

In 2005, Prince Frederik becomes a father for the first time, welcoming his son, Prince Christian.

danish greek royals attend a photocall at grasten palace
Julian Parker - Getty Images

2010

Prince Frederik, Princess Mary, and their son Prince Christian attend the wedding of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Daniel Westling.

wedding of swedish crown princess victoria daniel westling arrivals
Dominique Charriau - Getty Images

2011

In 2011, Mary and Frederik welcome twins, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine.

christening of the danish royal twins, prince vincent and princess josephine
Pascal Le Segretain - Getty Images

2011

Prince Frederik waves with his son, Prince Vincent, at the annual summer photocall for the royal family at Grasten Castle.

the danish royal family hold annual summer photocall
Tim Riediger - Getty Images

2013

The Danish royal family of six pose for photographs on their annual skiing holiday in Verbier, Switzerland.

danish royals on holiday in verbier
Julian Parker - Getty Images

2013

Frederik plays around with his youngest son.

danish royals on ski holiday in verbier
The Image Gate - Getty Images

2014

Frederik became a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 2009.

crown prince frederik of denmark skiiing in sochi
Pascal Le Segretain - Getty Images

2017

Prince Frederik and Princess Mary accompany their twins to the first day at school.

prince vincent and princess josephine of denmark first day at school
Ole Jensen - Getty Images

2017

Prince Frederik poses for a picture during a trip to China.

danish crown prince frederik visits china day 2
Etienne Oliveau - Getty Images

2018

Their children started joining Prince Frederik and Princess Mary at bigger royal events.

'all of denmark celebrates the crown prince' tv birthday show from copenhagen
Ole Jensen - Getty Images

2018

To celebrate Crown Prince Frederik's 50th birthday, there are celebrations in Copenhagen and the Crown Prince couple appeared on the balcony of Amalienborg Palace.

crown prince frederik of denmark receives from the palace balcony the people's homage on his 50th birthday
Patrick van Katwijk - Getty Images

2018

The royals visited the Faroe Islands, and they all coordinated in matching jackets (except Frederik) during a trip to the village of Mikladalur.

danish royal family visit the faroe islands in the north atlantic
Ole Jensen - Getty Images

2021

Prince Frederik joined his mother Queen Margrethe II on an official visit to Germany.

queen margrethe of denmark and crown prince frederik visit germany day 1
Maja Hitij - Getty Images

2022

Frederik was a proud dad during the confirmation of Princess Isabella.

princess isabella of denmark confirmation at fredensborg palace
Ole Jensen - Getty Images

2022

Prince Frederik and Princess Mary look lovely during a visit to the Netherlands.

danish crown prince couple visits the netherlands day two
Patrick van Katwijk - Getty Images

2022

Queen Margrethe celebrated her Golden Jubilee in 2022, and Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary were obviously on hand for the celebrations, looking glamorous.

queen margrethe ii of denmark celebrates 50 years anniversary of accession to the throne
Patrick van Katwijk - Getty Images

2023

The couple attended the coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla.

Read more: Princess Mary of Denmark Stuns in a Regal Purple Look as She Arrives at King Charles's Coronation

their majesties king charles iii and queen camilla coronation day
Mark Cuthbert - Getty Images

2024

Prince Frederik's last appearance as Crown Prince.

denmark royals
MADS CLAUS RASMUSSEN - Getty Images

2024

The new King Frederik waves to the crowds after his accession.

topshot denmark royals
JONATHAN NACKSTRAND - Getty Images

2024

The Danish royal family released a portrait of the new King and Queen of Denmark.

danish royal family accession portraits 2024
Dennis Stenild/Kongehuset

They also shared a photograph of Frederik and Mary with their children.

danish royal family accession portraits 2024
Dennis Stenild/Kongehuset

You Might Also Like