WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Denmark’s King Frederik X began his first overseas trip as king Wednesday with a three-day visit to Poland focused on promoting his country’s business and climate change policies.
Frederick, who was proclaimed king on January 14, received a red carpet welcome at the presidential palace in Warsaw, where he was greeted by Polish President Andrzej Duda and a guard of honor.
Danish monarchs traditionally visit another Scandinavian country first, but Frederik’s visit to Poland was planned before his mother, Queen Margrethe II, abruptly announced her abdication in a New Year’s Eve speech.
Therefore, the king’s trip was not treated as a state guest. He arrived without his Australian-born wife Queen Mary.
Later Wednesday, Mr. Frederick plans to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a memorial to soldiers who died defending Poland. His itinerary also includes visits to both houses of Parliament, the Sejm and the Senate, as well as a lunch and dinner with Mr. Duda at the Royal Palace in Warsaw.
Denmark’s foreign minister, defense minister and climate, energy and public works minister were accompanying the king, and Danish business representatives were also scheduled to attend the dinner.
On Thursday, Frederic will inspect the signing of an agreement for a project to capture and reuse surplus heat from the Warsaw Metro by sending it to the city’s district heating system.
Denmark is proud of its commitment to renewable energy. This small Scandinavian country claims that over 50% of its electricity is supplied by wind and solar power. However, the most widely used renewable energy source in Denmark is bioenergy.
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