{"id":929651,"date":"2026-10-16T00:18:21","date_gmt":"2026-10-16T00:18:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/929651\/"},"modified":"2026-10-16T00:18:21","modified_gmt":"2026-10-16T00:18:21","slug":"crown-prince-christian-of-denmark-turns-21-and-admits-hes-nervous-but-excited-about-future-role-as-king","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/929651\/","title":{"rendered":"Crown Prince Christian of Denmark turns 21 and admits he\u2019s nervous but excited about future role as king"},"content":{"rendered":"

Crown Prince Christian<\/a> of Denmark, who celebrated his 21st birthday on October 15, has revealed he\u2019s left the family home he previously lived in with his parents, King Frederik X<\/a> and Queen Mary<\/a>.<\/p>\n

While the prince still occasionally stays at Frederik VIII\u2019s Palace<\/a>, at Amalienborg, and Fredensborg Palace north of the capital, he now has his own apartment adjacent to the family\u2019s winter residence in Copenhagen.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Crown Prince Christian of Denmark, Count of Monpezat, photographed for his 21st birthday on October 15. He wears the uniform of the Royal Life Guards, which he serves under as a second lieutenant.\u00a0The Royal House of Denmark<\/p>\n

Christian made the revelation during his first major interview with Danish newspaper, Politiken<\/a>, published to mark his milestone this week.<\/p>\n

The Royal House of Denmark shared a new portrait of the crown prince for his 21st, showing Christian wearing the gala uniform of the Royal Life Guards for the first time. Pinned to the uniform is the Grand Commander\u2019s Cross with the star of the Order of the Dannebrog, awarded by his father.<\/p>\n

Christian\u2019s birthday was celebrated privately and a far cry from when he turned 18. Back then, in 2023, the royal family appeared on the balcony at Amalienborg<\/a> and held a ball at the palace attended by foreign royalty, friends, family and 200 young people from across Denmark<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Next week, Crown Prince Christian will join King Frederik and Queen Mary at a state banquet inside Christiansborg Palace<\/a> as Denmark hosts Vietnam\u2019s visiting president and his wife.<\/p>\n

\u2018Prepared\u2019 but \u2018nervous\u2019 about his future as king<\/p>\n

Crown Prince Christian is currently serving with the Royal Life Guards and is a second lieutenant and platoon commander at the Guard Barracks in H\u00f8velte. He joined the military in early 2025<\/a> and later qualified as a Guards Hussar, finishing his lieutenant training\u00a0in June<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cI remember on the drive down there [to the barracks] my whole body was shaking, I was super nervous,\u201d he told Politiken.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was like, \u2018are you sure want this?\u2019 I was actually in a lot of doubt and I was like, \u2018what if I don\u2019t like it?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Crown<\/p>\n

The Danish prince is currently serving in the military and last year flew an F-16 aircraft as part of his training with the armed forces.\u00a0The Danish Royal House<\/p>\n

While his next step in the military is unclear, Christian said he would be \u201copen\u201d to a posting in Latvia or Greenland, as the Danish Armed Forces respond to growing tensions across Europe. <\/p>\n

In August, his sister Princess Isabella became the first female royal<\/a> to take part in military service after Denmark introduced conscription for women amid security concerns in the region.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m open to all the things that could come, and I\u2019m looking at the different options,\u201d Christian said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf a secondment were to come up, and I got the opportunity, I would definitely find it interesting.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Crown Prince Christian is first in line to the throne, followed by his siblings Princess Isabella (far right) and twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine. The family posed together here, on April 18, at Fredensborg Palace Church, north of Copenhagen.\u00a0NurPhoto via Getty Images<\/p>\n

His future might also include further study, much like his father who graduated from Aarhus University, including a year spent at Harvard University in the US, with a degree in political science in 1995.<\/p>\n

What Crown Prince Christian is certain of, however, is his destiny as Denmark\u2019s next king. When the time comes, he will be known as Christian XI.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The crown prince appeared on the balcony of the family home, Frederik VIII\u2019s Palace at Amalienborg, in 2023 to mark Christian\u2019s 18th birthday.\u00a0Patrick van Katwijk\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s surreal for me to think about it,\u201d Christian told Politiken.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m about to turn 21, and I know that this is what my future holds, among other things. I\u2019ve known it from a young age and have been prepared for the task by my parents. <\/p>\n

\u201cSo it\u2019s something I\u2019m obviously both excited about and nervous about.\u201d<\/p>\n

Christian becomes heir to the throne<\/p>\n

On January 14, 2024, Christian became first-in-line to the throne when his father was proclaimed King Frederik X of Denmark<\/a>. Weeks earlier, his grandmother Queen Margrethe II announced her abdication<\/a> during a live address on New Year\u2019s Eve.<\/p>\n

Crown Prince Christian sat on his father\u2019s right during the official abdication ceremony at Christiansborg Palace and moments later, joined the new King Frederik X and Queen Mary on the balcony waving to the many thousands who had gathered in the square below, doing the same later at Amalienborg.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Moments after Queen Margrethe II signed the abdication papers in January 2024, King Frederik X of Denmark took a seat at the head of the table with his son and heir by his side.\u00a0Mads Claus Rasmussen\/Ritzau Scanpix via AP<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

After appearing on the balcony of Christiansborg Castle, where Frederik was proclaimed king, Christian stood with his family on the balcony of Frederik VIII\u2019s Palace at Amalienborg.\u00a0Martin Sylvest Andersen\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

However, Christian\u2019s place in the line of succession was formalised before his first birthday. In September 2006, Denmark\u2019s foreign minister entered the prince\u2019s names, date of birth and baptism into the royal family registry.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Next in the line of succession are Christian\u2019s siblings Princess Isabella<\/a>, 19, and twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, 15.<\/p>\n

In 2008, Danish parliament voted to do away with male primogeniture, allowing first-born females to accede the throne. The succession laws were changed in 2011, after the issue was first raised in 2005 when Mary was pregnant.<\/p>\n

A king in training and waiting<\/p>\n

Margrethe II<\/a> reigned for 52 years and Crown Prince Christian was able to closely observe his grandmother at work. Now he is learning the ways of monarchy directly from his father.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

While big celebrations were held in Denmark for Christian\u2019s 18th in 2023, including a ball at Christiansborg Palace, his 21st birthday is expected to be a private affair.\u00a0Keld Navntoft, Kongehuset<\/p>\n

Even before his grandmother\u2019s abdication, Christian was given the power to sit in as regent.<\/p>\n

In November 2023, Christian made the \u201csolemn declaration\u201d<\/a> to comply with the constitution at a Council of State meeting at Christiansborg Palace, allowing him to serve as regent and perform the duties of state.<\/p>\n

The occasion marked the first time in 100 years that there was a successor to the throne (Frederik) and an heir (Christian) who were able to act as regent, if needed.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Crown Prince Christian is not yet a full-time working royal but occasionally joins his parents for official events including here at Graasten to mark the start of the family\u2019s summer holiday in July.\u00a0Martin Sylvest Andersen\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

Since then, Crown Prince Christian has been regent of Denmark on many occasions, including in late October when his parents made a brief visit to Australia for a memorial service held for Mary\u2019s late father<\/a>, John, in Hobart.<\/p>\n

Christian also regularly sits on the Council of State, the government body chaired by the monarch and made up of cabinet ministers.<\/p>\n

The crown prince is a fixture at royal events, both public and private, across Denmark, but he is not a full-time working royal yet.<\/p>\n

In June 2023, months before he turned 18, Christian declined the royal allowance<\/a> he was entitled to once he came of age. <\/p>\n

The funding, known as an annuity, will be delayed until the Crown Prince establishes his own household and takes on more official duties, the Royal House said this week. Instead, the prince is focusing on his education and will increase his public profile in time. <\/p>\n

A future king is born<\/p>\n

Crown Prince Christian was born on October 15, 2005, though it took his parents three months to publicly reveal his name in keeping with royal tradition.<\/p>\n

The then-unnamed royal was delivered at 0157 at the Rigshospitalet (Copenhagen University Hospital).\u00a0His first public appearance came on October 18 when he was seen cradled in Mary\u2019s arms as she and Frederik left the hospital for their home, Fredensborg Palace.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Then-Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary introduced their baby son to the world on October 18, three days after his birth inside Copenhagen University Hospital.\u00a0Chris Jackson\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

\u201cI am feeling wonderful \u2212 it\u2019s been a truly wonderful life experience,\u201d Mary, then crown princess, said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWords can\u2019t describe how happy one feels. We are very excited by all the messages and well-wishers. It\u2019s really very touching.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hundreds of journalists and photographers had descended on the hospital to cover the historic event including members of the public from across Denmark and Australia.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Christian\u2019s name was revealed by his mother during his baptism at Christiansborg Palace Church on January 21, 2006, three months after the little prince\u2019s birth.\u00a0Chris Jackson\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

Frederik spoke of his \u201ctremendous delight\u201d at becoming a father.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is impossible to describe that feeling for me and my wife,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

He joked that he had helped the birth by cutting the umbilical cord.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was of great help if I can say it myself,\u201d Frederik said.<\/p>\n

Mary added: \u201cHe was actually a big help \u2212 I could not have managed without him.\u201d<\/p>\n

The prince\u2019s birth was marked by a 21-gun salute in Copenhagen and 200 beacon bonfires were lit across Denmark in keeping with ancient Viking customs.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

In November 2006, Prince Christian made his first public appearance in Australia when the family visited a zoo in Hobart during a private holiday to Mary\u2019s former home state.\u00a0Getty<\/p>\n

To celebrate, Australia sent a gift of four Tasmanian devils to Copenhagen Zoo while a cot made of Tasmanian oak, and handmade by students in Launceston, was also sent.<\/p>\n

The baby\u2019s birth came just over a year after Frederik and Mary married in Copenhagen<\/a> after meeting at the Sydney Olympics in 2000.<\/p>\n

The child became the first European royal to be born with Australian blood.<\/p>\n

After keeping their son\u2019s name a closely guarded secret for three months, Frederik and Mary revealed it at his baptism on January 21, 2006.<\/p>\n

The baby\u2019s full name was announced inside Christiansborg Palace Chapel by Mary who said each of his four names slowly and carefully when asked by Erik Norman Svendsen, the Bishop of Copenhagen who had married the royal couple in 2004.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The family, now with new addition Princess Isabella, returned to Australia in 2008 and were photographed here at Government House in Sydney.\u00a0Getty<\/p>\n

Speaking to the congregation, which included Mary\u2019s family from Australia, the royal declared her son\u2019s name was Christian Valdemar Henri John. <\/p>\n

His two middle names, Henri and John, were taken from his two grandfathers. <\/p>\n

Christian had been the frontrunner in keeping with Danish royal tradition that decrees all kings are either named Christian or Frederik. He also holds the noble title Count of Monpezat, from his grandfather Prince Henrik who was born in France.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The family of six were last in Hobart together in December 2022 when they had Christmas with Mary\u2019s Australian relatives.\u00a0The Royal House of Denmark<\/p>\n

The prince\u2019s first official engagement came when he was just three, in 2008, when Christian joined his Danish grandfather at Copenhagen Zoo to open its new elephant enclosure. One of Christian\u2019s other major royal firsts came in 2012 when he joined Queen Margrethe II for an event at Amalienborg.<\/p>\n

\"King<\/p>\n

Crown Prince Christian, the eldest son of Denmark\u2019s King Frederik X and Queen Mary, is celebrating his 21st birthday on October 15.\u00a0Getty<\/p>\n

Prince Christian was introduced to Australia in November 2006, when he travelled Down Under for a private holiday with his parents<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Their only official appearance was at Bonorong Wildlife Park, north of Hobart, where the little prince patted a koala and was later dubbed the \u201ckingaroo\u201d.<\/p>\n

Media reports at the time said Christian was more interested in the 60-strong contingent of journalists and photographers covering the occasion, a sight he would later become very familiar with.<\/p>\n

\"Crown<\/p>\n

Crown Prince Christian was photographed outside the gates of the royal family\u2019s Copenhagen palace last year to mark his 20th birthday.\u00a0The Danish Royal House<\/p>\n

Crown Prince Christian has since made many more visits to his mother\u2019s birth country over the years, the most recent being in 2022 when the family celebrated Christmas together in Hobart.<\/p>\n

Christian, whom Mary once called her \u201cLillemand\u201d \u2212 \u201clittle man\u201d in Danish \u2212 has spent his life in front of the cameras and now, at 21, the world looks with interest at just what he will do next.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Crown Prince Christian of Denmark, who celebrated his 21st birthday on October 15, has revealed he\u2019s left the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":929652,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[64,63,447,134],"class_list":["post-929651","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-celebrities","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-celebrities","tag-entertainment"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/929651","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=929651"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/929651\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/929652"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=929651"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=929651"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=929651"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}