SUPPORT OUR JOURNALISM: Please consider donating to keep our website running and free for all - thank you!

Denmark

Celebrations and solemn acts to mark the moment Prince Christian of Denmark turns 18

Prince Christian, second in line to the throne of Denmark, will celebrate his 18th birthday in regal style.

The Danish Royal Court has just announced that the prince, who turns 18 on October 15th 2023, will mark the milestone with a series of symbolic events.

On the morning he reaches his majority, Prince Christian will make a balcony appearance with his family. The prince will appear on the balcony of Frederik VIII’s Palace in Copenhagen with his parents, Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary, and his grandmother, Queen Margrethe II. His siblings, Princess Isabella, 16, and 12 year old twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, are expected to join him as well.

In the evening, Queen Margrethe will host a special gala dinner at Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen in honour of her grandson’s coming of age. The guests will include members of youth organisations as well as young people from across Denmark who have made their mark in the worlds of sport, art and culture. Other young people representing every part of Denmark as well as Greenland and the Faroe Islands will also be invitied.

In November, Prince Christian will continue his coming of age events. On November 14th 2023, the prince will attend a Council of State where he will make a solemn declaration of his intention to comply with the country’s constitution. From that point onwards, Christian will be able to act as Head of State should that be required.

As the first details of his birthday events were revealed, new portraits of the prince were also released.

Christian Valdemar Henrik John was born on October 15th 2005 in Copenhagen and has been second in line to the throne from birth.

About author

Lydia Starbuck is Jubilee and Associate Editor at Royal Central and the main producer and presenter of the Royal Central Podcast and Royal Central Extra. Lydia is also a pen name of June Woolerton who is a journalist and writer with over twenty years experience in TV, radio, print and online. Her latest book, A History of British Royal Jubilees, is out now. Her new book, The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr, will be published in March 2024. June is an award winning reporter, producer and editor. She's appeared on outlets including BBC 5 Live, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Local Radio and has also helped set up a commercial radio station. June is also an accomplished writer with a wide range of material published online and in print. She is the author of two novels, published as e-books. She is also a marriage registrar and ceremony celebrant.