The Danish royal family is incredibly popular, boasting of popularity ratings over 80 percent, thereby far outstripping its Nordic counterparts: Norway has a 61 percent approval rating, while the approval rating for the Swedish royals is down at just 55 percent.
So being at least somewhat informed about the Danish Royal family is more or less essential when participating in conversations.
Dronning Margrethe
Although Margrethe still retains the title she is no longer actually Denmark's queen.
The Queen announced her abdication during the live broadcast of her annual New Year’s Eve speech on December 31st 2023, sending shockwaves through the country, and touching Danish citizens everywhere.
She reigned as Margrethe II, Queen of Denmark, from January 14th 1972 until her abdication on January 14th 2024. She is the eldest child of King Frederik IX and Queen Ingrid (born Princess of Sweden).
Married to Prince Henrik, born Henri Marie Jean André de Laborde de Monpezat, and mother to Frederik X, Denmark’s reigning monarch, and Prince Joachim.
Dronning Margrethe, is a much loved member of the Danish family, and a positive representation of Danish culture and society. Colloquially she goes by the name “Maggie”.
In recent years, Margrethe II has dealt with some health issues requiring intensive medical intervention, including major back surgery in 2023, and a heart procedure earlier this year in May.
READ ALSO: Danes stunned by queen's surprise abdication
What do I need to know about Queen Margrethe?
The main controversy involving Queen Margrethe in recent years has been the conflict between her and her son, Joachim, after she stripped his children of their royal titles.
In September 2022, Queen Margrethe announced that starting January 1, 2023, the four children of Prince Joachim would lose their titles of Prince and Princess of Denmark, and would instead be known as Count and Countess of Monpezat.
Although the royal family usually keeps its conflicts private, this situation erupted into a public feud. Joachim was visibly emotional when speaking to the press and his family were left feeling ostracised and shocked at how little notice they were given about the plans.
The decision caused a significant rift, leading Margrethe to release a statement apologising for the hurt caused, explaining that she had underestimated how much the decision would affect Joachim and his family.
READ ALSO: Denmark's Queen Margrethe out of hospital after heart procedure
Do’s and don’t’s when talking about Margrethe II:
Do acknowledge her popularity and her efforts to modernise the Danish monarchy.
Don’t launch into anti-monarchy lectures. Unless a Dane explicitly brings up this topic, you can assume that most Danes are quite fond of their royal family, viewing it as a cultural anchor and key aspect to Danish identity.
Do praise her artistic and intercultural abilities. Danes take pride in the fact that Margrethe is more than a monarch. She speaks five languages fluently, has translated French literature into Danish, has designed costumes and sets for the Royal Danish Ballet, and illustrated the official Danish edition of The Lord of the Rings.
READ ALSO: Queen Margrethe to design set for ballet at Copenhagen Tivoli
Don’t insult her New Year’s Eve speech tradition. This is a sacred national tradition, and mocking it would be considered insensitive.
Do bring up her eccentricities. This includes her bright wardrobe, her decades of chain-smoking, and her witty speeches. Photos of her riding rollercoasters and drinking chocolate milk have also scored her popularity points with the Danes.
Don’t criticise Margrethe too strongly for the feud with Joachim. Although she admits she bears responsibility, most Danes view the decision to downsize the monarchy as a pragmatic choice to ensure the future of the family.
READ ALSO: ‘Insanely popular’: Why are the Danish royals so important to Danes?
Prins Henrik
Prince Henrik, born Henri Marie Jean André de Laborde de Monpezat was born in France on June 11th 1934 and died February 13th 2018, aged 83. He married Queen Margrethe on June 10th 1967, five years before she became Queen.
What stories do I need to know about Prins Henrik?
When Margrethe became queen in 1972, Henrik was named Prince Consort, not King Consort. Under Danish tradition and constitutional framework the spouse of a ruling queen does not become king, as the title of King would outrank Queen. However the spouse of a ruling king does become queen - a prime example being King Frederik’s wife, Queen Mary.
Prince Henrik felt that this was unfair, and frequently and publicly complained about this disparity, even saying that it is a form of gender discrimination.
The most shocking development occurred in August 2017, a few months before his death. The Royal Palace announced that Prince Henrik refused to be buried alongside Queen Margrethe, breaking a tradition that began in 1559.
Henrik stated that because he was never made her equal in life (by being named King Consort), he would not be her equal in death. Queen Margrethe reportedly accepted his decision.
READ ALSO: Denmark's Prince Henrik refuses to be buried with queen
A few months after this statement, it was announced that Prince Henrik was suffering from dementia.
Do’s and don’t’s when talking about Prins Henrik
Do acknowledge the cultural clash. Henrik was a proud French aristocrat, who married into a famously egalitarian Scandinavian society. Having conversations about his struggles being due to a clash between the two cultures shows insight.
Don’t mock his Danish accent. Although comedians and tabloids parodied the prince for years, doing so today - and especially as a foreigner - would be seen as poor taste.
Do show grace regarding his final years. When the palace announced his dementia diagnosis, the Danish public view of his controversial outbursts changed entirely.
King Frederik X
Frederik X is the reigning monarch of Denmark. He was the firstborn to the then Princess Margrethe and was born on May 26th 1968. At the time of his birth, his maternal grandfather was on the throne of Denmark, his maternal uncle-by-marriage, Constantine II was king of Greece, and his matrilineal great-grandfather, Gustaf VI Adolf, was on the throne of Sweden.
Today, Frederik is married to Mary. Together they have four children: Christian, Isabella, and twins Vincent and Josephine.
What stories do I need to know about King Frederik X?
King Frederik doesn’t have a huge amount of baggage. However, he was somewhat of a “Party Prince” in his youth, in part due to the difficulty he had grappling with the idea that he would one day be king. He felt suffocated by the rigid expectations of the monarchy and the constant media attention, which resulted in a love for fast cars and nightlife. This peaked on New Year’s Eve in 1992, when he and his then-girlfriend were caught in a major speeding incident in France.
This rebellious phase ended when he joined the military. While many royals serve in the military, Frederik completed the training for Frømandskorpset (the Royal Danish Navy Frogman Corps), an elite special operations force which can be compared to the US Navy SEALs. He was one of only four recruits out of 300 to pass the course.
His devotion to the Danish military has earned Frederik a lot of respect.
In addition to his military service, King Frederik is also known for creating the Royal Run. In 2018 to celebrate his 50th birthday, Frederik launched the Royal Run; a running event which takes place across five major cities in Denmark. Instead of an exclusive gala, he invited the Danish public to join him in a run. It was a huge success and has become a highly anticipated annual event, now drawing over 90,000 runners.
Frederik has through much of his life been known for his discomfort with public speaking. He has been criticised for seeming nervous, hesitating and struggling to find words during formal speeches. Since becoming king, he has been under much scrutiny, each speech expected to live up to those of his mother, Queen Margrethe, who was known for her eloquence and authoritative delivery.
Do’s and don’t’s when talking about King Frederik
Do acknowledge his popularity: Despite some initial hesitance in his youth, King Frederik X has grown to be a very popular figure in Denmark, matching the high approval ratings of his mother. Recognizing this broad support is important when discussing the Danish monarchy.
Don’t expect a highly formal monarch: Frederik isn’t a traditional, highly formal royal, and characterising him as such would be a mistake. He intentionally portrays himself as a more accessible, "normal man", which is an aspect many Danes appreciate him for.
Do mention his athletic and adventurous side: The King's passion for extreme sports and his military background are well-respected. Bringing up his participation in events like the Royal Run or his training with the naval Frogman Corps is a great way to show you are informed about his background.
Queen Mary
Queen Mary of Denmark (born Mary Elizabeth Donaldson) is the wife of King Frederik X and the current Queen Consort of Denmark. Born in Tasmania in Australia, Queen Mary is the first ever Australian-born queen in the world.
She met the then-Crown Prince Frederik in 2000 during the Summer Olympics in Sydney. They met at a pub in the city, and rumours say she didn’t realise he was a prince until someone told her later that evening.
They began a long-distance relationship, and she eventually moved to Denmark in 2001. They were married in May 2004, and went on to have four children together.
What stories do I need to know about Queen Mary?
Queen Mary is a very loved public figure in Denmark. There aren’t many scandals involving Queen Mary. Instead she is known for her dedication and elegance, with her work focussing heavily on social issues, health, and women’s rights.
However, in 2022 the then-Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary were involved in a controversy regarding their eldest son, Prince Christian’s schooling.
Prince Christian was attending Herlufsholm, Denmark’s most prestigious boarding school, with Princess Isabella due to start soon after. In May 2022, a devastating television documentary aired, exposing deeply entrenched culture of systemic bullying, violence, and sexual abuse at the school.
The royal couple’s initial response, that they were deeply shaken and expected the school to rectify the unacceptable behaviour, was met with criticism. The public felt the royal family were protecting the elite institution, rather than setting clear boundaries.
They ultimately made the difficult decision to pull Prince Christian out of the school and cancel Princess Isabella’s enrollment.
READ ALSO: Danish royal children withdrawn from controversial boarding school
Do’s and don’t’s when talking about Queen Mary
Don’t mock her Danish. Queen Mary is highly admired for her dedication to mastering the Danish language.
Do acknowledge her professionalism. She takes her role as a monarch seriously and is always well-prepared, articulate, and poised.
Don’t underestimate her popularity. While King Frederik X is popular, Queen Mary often enjoys even higher approval ratings. When discussing the King, it's beneficial to acknowledge the strong team they form and her significant positive impact on the monarchy's image.
Do praise her style. She is a major champion of Danish fashion and design, and is often praised for her good taste.
Crown Prince Christian
Crown Prince Christian was born on October 15, 2005 and is the eldest child of King Frederik X and Queen Mary, making him the current heir to the Danish throne. He is part of the first generation of Danish royals to attend public state schools for his early education, having graduated from Ordrup Gymnasium in the summer of 2024.
What stories do I need to know about Crown Prince Christian?
Prince Christian hasn’t been involved in any major controversies, other than the difficult decision of switching high schools, after the Herlufsholm Scandal of 2022.
When he graduated high school Christian took a gap year which included a stay in East Africa in 2024 to work on farms and learn about nature conservation.
In 2025 he began his mandatory military conscription. More recently, he has been undergoing lieutenant training, and announced that starting in August 2026, he will serve as a platoon commander in the Royal Life Guards. He is thereby following closely in the footsteps of his father.
Do’s and don’t’s when talking about Crown Prince Christian
Do respect his current phase of life. Danes generally respect that he is in a transitional phase and isn't a fully active, full-time working royal yet.
Don’t blame him for the Herlufsholm scandal. When talking about the scandal, it’s important to separate Christian from the systemic issues of the school. Criticism is directed at the school, and briefly at his parents for their initial hesitation, but not at Christian himself.
Do mention his military path. This is a good way of showing you are up-to-date on the goings-on in the Danish royal family.
Don’t assume he gets a massive allowance. The Crown Prince won’t receive a state annuity until he turns 21, a popular move which showed the monarchy adapting to modern expectations of fairness.
Princess Isabella
Princess Isabella was born on April 21, 2007 and is the second child and eldest daughter of King Frederik X and Queen Mary. Like her brother, she attended a public state school for her early education. She graduated from Øregård Gymnasium in Hellerup in June 2026.
Princess Isabella is due to start her military service in August 2026, one of the first women to participate in Denmark’s expanded conscription programme.
READ ALSO: Danish princess among first to serve 11 months national service
What stories do I need to know about Princess Isabella?
Like her brother, Isabella hasn’t been the cause of many controversies yet. However, last year a slight hiccup happened when she was photographed at Smukfest festival, attending a concert by the popular Danish rap group Suspekt, wearing a t-shirt that said “Bollede ham i går” (“f*cked him yesterday” in English) with an arrow pointing to the left.
Suspekt are known for their explicit and sexually charged lyrics. The t-shirt is a piece of Suspekt merchandise, but because Isabella is second in line to the throne, the t-shirt immediately sparked a massive national debate about royal decorum.
Although she has received criticism, many have also praised her, framing her choice as a symbol of female emancipation and modern youth. Supporters have also argued that she was simply a teenager at a music festival.
Do’s and don’t’s when talking about Princess Isabella
Do mention her military service and recent graduation. If you want to seem informed about the happenings in Denmark, mention Princess Isabella’s graduation from high school, and more importantly her military service: she is among the first women to participate in Denmark’s expanded conscription programme.
Don’t expect a heavy royal workload. The Danish public understands she is currently focused on her training and education, rather than full-time royal duties.
Other Danish Royalty
Prince Vincent: Born on January 8, 2011, 26 minutes before his twin Princess Josephine. He is the third-born to King Frederik and Queen Mary.
Princess Josephine: Born on January 8, 2011, Princess Josephine is the youngest of King Frederik and Queen Mary’s four children.
Prince Joachim: Prince Joachim is the younger son of Queen Margrethe II and the late Prince Henrik, and the brother of King Frederik X. He is the 5th in line for the throne, after King Frederik’s children. He has been married twice and has four children. His first two children, Nikolai and Felix, are from his first marriage to Alexandra Manley. His second two children, Henrik and Athena, are with his current wife, Marie Cavallier. Prince Joachim and his family lived in Paris from 2020 to 2023 before moving to Washington D.C., where Joachim has served as Defence Industry Attaché at the Danish Embassy.
Princess Marie: Princess Marie, born Marie Cavallier, is the wife of Prince Joachim. She is a French-born former advertising executive.
Count Nikolai: Joachim’s eldest son, Nikolai, was born on August 28th, 1999, and is known for his successful career as a fashion model, having appeared on the catwalk for major brands like Dior and Burberry.
Count Felix: Felix, Joachim’s second son, was born on July 22nd 2002. After leaving his program at the Royal Danish Military Academy's Lieutenant Training, he followed his older brother’s path working as a model, featuring in campaigns for luxury jeweller Georg Jensen.
Count Henrik: The eldest child of Joachim and Marie, born on May 4th 2009.
Countess Athena: The youngest child and only daughter of Joachim and Marie, born on January 24th 2012.
Dronning Anne-Marie: Queen Anne-Marie of Greece (born Princess Anne-Marie Dagmar Ingrid of Denmark on August 30, 1946) is a Danish princess who served as the final Queen Consort of Greece. She is the youngest sister of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, and the aunt of King Frederik X.
Comments