King Frederik and Queen Mary have sat down for their first official interview since their accession earlier this year, recalling that momentous day and their personal highlights.
The royal couple sat down with Danish broadcaster TV2 earlier this week as they launched the Dannebrog for the summer sailing season.
In the interview, they discussed the moment they became king and consort, and their plans for the future of their reign.
King Frederik recalled his accession day, 14 January, as one that was “overwhelming and moving” as he stepped out onto the balcony of Christiansborg Palace for the first time as monarch.
He said: “I felt extremely well received. The highlight was when Mary and the children came out and stood right behind me and I had the Danes standing in front of me and waving. It was one of the most amazing things to experience in my life.”
Queen Mary joined him in remembering the moment, recalling that she and their four children stayed behind and watched him walk out onto the balcony and how “We could hear and feel it, even if we couldn’t see it. It was a beautiful moment. I was both very happy and very proud.”
The royal couple reflected on their paths and their future, with Queen Mary admitting that there is no fixed route but “a good direction” that will see them continuing in “the tracks we have laid” with their interests in business, nature and communities still being their focus.
“We also want to be a royal couple who are visible and present throughout Denmark,” Queen Mary said.
The next few months will be jam-packed with official visits for the couple. On Monday, they begin a two-day state visit to Sweden; later in the month, they’ll undertake a state visit to Norway. It is tradition that when a new monarch is installed in Scandinavia that they visit the other monarchs first.
King Frederik said of these upcoming visits: “We feel at home in Scandinavia. We are not only colleagues, but also family. Our cohorts have become friends. We have a fantastic dialogue and a relaxed relationship when we meet.”
Later in the summer, King Frederik and Queen Mary will visit Greenland and the Faroe Islands.
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