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Denmark

Who will attend Denmark’s day of history as the throne passes to a new monarch?

When King Frederik X is proclaimed King of Denmark on January 14th 2024, it will be a decidedly more simple affair than the coronation of King Charles III last year at Westminster Abbey.

However, the apparently simple schedule belies a moment of great history and it will be attended by significant members of his royal family.

Queen Margrethe

Of course, Queen Margrethe will be in attendance throughout the abdication and accession events. On January 14th 2024, she will depart Christian IX’s Palace via carriage to arrive at Christiansborg Castle for the Council of State that will mark her official abdication of the throne.

King Frederik X and Queen Mary

They’ll begin the day as Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary but as they return back to Amalienborg as King Frederik X and Queen Mary.

On January 14th 2024, the royal couple will depart Amalienborg for Christiansborg Castle by car to attend the events surrounding the abdication and accession. There, the Council of State will officially see Queen Margrethe abdicate and King Frederik X succeed her.

Crown Prince Christian

The new Crown Prince of Denmark is listed as attending all of Sunday’s and Monday’s events alongside his parents and grandmother.

Princess Isabella, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine

The younger children of the new King Frederik X and Queen Mary aren’t listed by name as attending any of the events being held in relation to their grandmother’s abdication or their father’s accession. That’s not to say they won’t be present – it remains an unknown with just days to go. It seems strange that they won’t be present to see their father become king but this is a state event first and foremost.

However, if they were to attend any events, it seems likely that they would attend the church service at Aarhus Cathedral on 21 January which will give thanks for the start of the reign of King Frederik X.

Prince Joachim

Queen Margrethe’s second son lives in Washington, D.C. with his family while he works in the Danish Embassy. Earlier this week, the Royal Court confirmed that Prince Joachim will travel to Copenhagen for the abdication of his mother and the accession if his brother.

However, his wife, Princess Marie will stay behind in the United States with their two children, Count Henrik and Countess Athena. It’s not known whether Prince Joachim’s children from his first marriage will attend although his eldest son, Count Nikolai, has been in Australia for several months and seems unlikely to return.

Prince Joachim is expected to attend the abdication and accession on January 14th and the Folketing reception on January 15th, but will depart back for the United States afterwards.

Princess Benedikte and Queen Anne-Marie

Queen Margrethe’s sisters aren’t listed by name as attending any of the events for the accession of their nephew. However, both have been at their sister’s side for the biggest moments of her life and Princess Benedikte can still act as regent of Denmark. It is possible we will see them at the historic events and Princess Benedikte, who normally attends Folketing events, will almost certainly be present for the reception there on the day after the accession of King Frederik X.

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About author

Jess Ilse is the Assistant Editor at Royal Central. She specialises in the British, Danish, Norwegian and Swedish Royal Families and has been following royalty since Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee. Jess has provided commentary for media outlets in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Jess works in communications and her debut novel THE MAJESTIC SISTERS will publish in Fall 2024.