Prince Christian Valdemar Henri John came into the world on 15 October 2005 as the first child of Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark. He was born at Rigshospitalet at 1.57 am and has been second in line to the Danish throne since birth.
As the heir to the throne, a 21-gun salute marked his birth at noon and bonfires were lit in both Denmark and Australia – the latter of which is his mother’s home country. His first few days caused some worry for his parents, and he was hospitalised on 21 October due to neonatal jaundice. Photos of the unnamed prince were released that day that showed him with a yellow tint to his tiny hands and face. After blood tests and time under special coloured light rays, the newborn was cleared to go home that same day.
His christening took place on 21 January 2006 with Prince Joachim of Denmark, his paternal uncle; Jane Stephens, his maternal aunt; Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden; Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway; Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece, his father’s first cousin; Jeppe Handwerk and Hamish Campbell, friends of his parents, serving as his godparents. Keeping with Danish royal tradition, his names were not announced until his christening took place.
His given name Christian also follows tradition as Danish kings have had their names alternate between Frederik and Christian throughout the years. His middle name Henri is the French version and original name of his paternal grandfather, the now late Prince Henrik; additionally, it is the male form of his late maternal grandmother’s name (Henrietta Donaldson died when Crown Princess Mary was 25). The name John comes from his maternal grandfather.
The Prince was the first Danish royal to attend nursery school and the first to attend a public state school – Tranegårdskolen – which he began in August 2011. He attends school there alongside his three siblings: Princess Isabella (b. 2007), Prince Vincent (b. 2011), and Princess Josephine (b. 2011).
He is fluent in Danish and his mother’s native English. He and his family alternate Christmases in Denmark and Australia so that the children get to spend as much time as possible with their maternal family.
Prince Christian was due to have his confirmation into the Church of Denmark this year; however, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused this to be postponed. It is expected to eventually take place at Chapel of Fredensborg Palace where his father and paternal grandmother, Queen Margrethe were each confirmed.
The Crown Prince Couple have worked hard to allow their children time to have a private life. Christian has accompanied his parents on some engagements, including a tour of Greenland, but the teenager has yet to make any type of public speech to the Danish public. It is expected that he will address the public in the coming years as he continues to prepare for his future role.
