King Frederick X of Denmark reigns in a world different from his mother–can he continue to protect his throne?

Sunday afternoon, king frederik x He became the monarch of Denmark, carving out another name in a family line that dates back to the 6th century. Despite the weight of history surrounding the change, the formal transfer of power occurred after the mother. Margrethe II, A few documents were signed inside Christiansborg Palace. A photo of that moment, later released by Congehuset, depicts a modest atmosphere that still has a heavy sense of anticipation.While Margrethe handles the pen, Frederik in formal attire acts as prime minister. Mette Frederiksen and now crown prince christian Everyone is looking at her hands intently.

It is very different from what happened immediately after the new monarch and the Council of State left the private chambers. Set to the tune of Coldplay’s “The Sky is Full of Stars,” the video later shows the king and his wife heading to a balcony in Christiansborg. Queen Mary. three other children, Princess Isabella, Prince Vincent, and Princess Josephine. and younger brother prince joachim Watch him walk out to meet the Prime Minister. Tens of thousands of Danes gathered outside the palace to watch the moment unfold. For decades, the Danish royal family has been considered one of the most popular monarchies, but on Sunday, they showed the world exactly what that means.

The prime minister praised the new king in a short speech. “Being a queen and a king is one link in a chain that goes on for over a thousand years,” she said. “As one stands aside, the next stands ready. And the Crown Prince, who will now be our monarch, is the King we know, the King we like. He is the King in whom we trust.”

Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images.

This is different from the time of May 2023. king charles iii The coronation was proclaimed on the Golden Throne on Sunday morning, and Denmark’s historic coronation chair was placed in Copenhagen’s Rosenborg Museum. It has not been used since the coronation of Christian VIII in 1840. Margrethe’s declaration from the same balcony in 1972 came just hours after she watched her father die at Copenhagen City Hospital. The unpretentious joy of this moment was a reminder of why monarchies can survive even when some of the pomp and circumstance are set aside in favor of modernity. He also made the subtle argument that an aging monarch’s abdication could usher in a new era without erasing the old.

The full meaning of the day did not become clear until Frederick joined the new queen and her four children on the balcony of the palace.Mary wore a form-fitting white dress by a Danish designer soren le schmidt Her arrival was greeted with enthusiastic cheers. This country didn’t just get a new king. Now they have the steadfastness of their mother-in-law, kate middleton– A proven track record as an advocate for children; michelle obama– He used his talent for fashion diplomacy. Denmark has a population of approximately 6 million people, but it is far larger than that as an economic and cultural powerhouse. This is the country that brought us both Lego and Lego. Hygge And now the new king and queen are the country’s ambassadors.

According to royal watchers gertrude daly According to the owner of the comprehensive site Ghats Royals, it was the formal addition of Australian-born Mary to the family in 2004 that caught the attention of the global royal-watching community. For example, their famous encounter in a bar during the 2000 Sydney Olympics was reminiscent of the plots of several different romantic comedies from the same period. (from 2004 prince and me starring Julia Stiles The royal fantasy story was also set in Denmark. )

That being said, Mary’s positive reception by the Danish public has to do with her acceptance of her culture, which began with her learning her native language when she moved to Denmark full-time. “Some of the other foreign spouses aren’t necessarily as proactive because you don’t have to. You just have to speak English,” Daley explained. “But learning Danish is very nice.”

It also helped Mary embrace the dark sense of humor typical of Danish culture. “She learned Danish so well that the Danes consider her one of their own,” a Danish spokesperson said. Morten Pelch Said guardian. “She understands our humor too.” (In her recent memoir, Mary herself points out that Australians have a talent for “black humour”, which is partly natural. That was the case.)

On May 14, 2004, Frederic offers his arm to his new wife Mary as he leaves Copenhagen Cathedral.

Photo by Sven Nackstrand/Getty Images.