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Denmark

The princess who shared a life story with a Christmas tree

Denmark’s royals have given us a peek at one of the most special Christmas decorations in their palaces – a tiny tree that carries echoes of the story of a princess.

Princess Benedikte has shared images of some of the decorations that she’s placed on a miniature fir tree at Christian VIII’s Palace at Amalienborg. It was featured behind door seven of the royal Advent calendar.

The baubles and trinkets have been collected by the princess throughout her life and reflect the many different festive seasons that she has enjoyed since her birth in Copenhagen in 1944.

Among them are decorations from Switzerland where Benedikte has spent several festive seasons.

The tree had a real family feel with old favourites cluttering branches. The light for the tree came from candles which the princess placed below its branches on a tray.

Benedikte carries out a wide range of engagements for the Danish Royal Family and is a constant companion to her sister, Queen Margrethe.

They will spend part of the festive season together with the Queen of Denmark welcoming family to Marselisborg for the season.

About author

Lydia Starbuck is Editor in Chief 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.