Queen Mary’s eldest son, Crown Prince Christian, has been awarded one of Denmark’s most exclusive royal honours as he opens up about his military career and the daunting prospect of one day becoming King.
The Danish royal, who celebrated his 21st birthday on Thursday, has been bestowed the prestigious Grand Commander’s Cross of the Order of the Dannebrog by his father, King Frederik X.
The honour comes as Christian offered a rare glimpse into his private life, revealing his nerves about military training and the “surreal” reality of his future on the Danish throne.
To mark the milestone birthday, the Danish Royal Household released a series of official portraits showing the young prince wearing the Royal Life Guards’ gala uniform for the first time.
“His Royal Highness The Crown Prince turns 21 today,” the post read.
“On the new official gala portraits, which are published on the occasion of the day, the Crown Prince wears the Royal Lifeguard’s gala uniform for the first time.
“Around his neck, the Crown Prince wears the Grand Commander’s Cross of the Order of the Dannebrog, which His Majesty the King awarded the Crown Prince in connection with his birthday.”
The Grand Commander’s Cross represents the highest class within the Order of the Dannebrog, one of Denmark’s two royal orders of chivalry.
The prestigious distinction is reserved for members of royal and princely families who already hold the Order of the Elephant, Denmark’s most senior royal order.
Despite his growing royal responsibilities, the Palace clarified in a statement marking Christian’s birthday that he “does not receive a salary in the Armed Forces”.
It added that “the issue of annuities will only become relevant when His Royal Highness establishes his own household.”
The birthday celebrations coincide with a revealing interview Christian gave to Danish newspaper Politiken, in which he spoke candidly about his military experience, newfound independence and the enormous expectations surrounding his future reign.
The Crown Prince revealed he has moved into his own private apartment at Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen, where he will reside when he is not stationed at his military barracks.
Christian, who began his military training in early 2025, admitted the prospect of joining the Armed Forces initially left him riddled with nerves and questioning whether he had made the right decision.
Recalling the journey to the barracks, the young royal revealed his “whole body was shaking”.
“I was like, ‘are you sure you want this?’ I was actually in a lot of doubt, and I was like, ‘What if I don’t like it?'”
However, the experience appears to have strengthened his interest in a military career, with Christian revealing he would be “open” to an overseas secondment if the opportunity presented itself.
The future monarch also addressed the extraordinary responsibility he will inherit when he eventually succeeds his father as King of Denmark.
Asked how he felt about his destiny, Christian admitted it was “surreal for me to think about”.
“I’m about to turn 21, and I know that this is what my future holds, among other things.
“I’ve known it from a young age and have been prepared for the task by my parents. So, it’s obviously something I’m both excited about and nervous about.”
Christian has already been entrusted with significant royal responsibilities, having formally pledged to uphold Denmark’s constitution during a Council of State meeting at Christiansborg Palace in November 2023.
The declaration made him eligible to serve as regent and carry out constitutional duties on behalf of the monarch when required.
At the time, the occasion marked a significant moment for the Danish monarchy, with both the then-Crown Prince Frederik and his son Christian eligible to act as regent- the first time in a century that two successive generations of heirs had been able to assume the role.
Since his father ascended the throne in January 2024, Christian has stepped in as regent on several occasions, including during King Frederik and Queen Mary’s brief visit to Australia for a memorial service honouring her late father, John Donaldson, in Hobart.
The Crown Prince has also become a familiar presence at meetings of the Council of State, which brings together the monarch and Denmark’s government ministers.
Meanwhile, Christian is not the only member of the Danish royal family’s younger generation embracing military life.
His younger sister, Princess Isabella, 19, began an 11-month period of military conscription with the Guard Hussar Regiment in Slagelse in August.
Their younger siblings, twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, 15, remain focused on their educationÂ
Josephine, a budding actress, is currently boarding at Spir Efterskole in Snaptun after reportedly requesting to move away from Copenhagen to continue her studies.
Read related topics:European RoyalsQueen Mary