Frederik X of Denmark turns 56
King and family wave from the balcony
King Frederik celebrates with his wife Mary, their children and his mother Margrethe on the palace balcony.
© IDA MARIE ODGAARD/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images
Frederik X is celebrating his 56th birthday today. The monarch and his family appeared on the palace balcony in front of a cheering crowd.
King Frederik X of Denmark celebrates his 56th birthday today, his first as monarch – a big day for the Danish royal family and its people. Already in the morning, numerous people gathered in front of the Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen. The royal guard on the Palace Square was dressed in traditional red gala uniform.
Whole family celebrates with Frederik on the balcony
At 12 o’clock sharp, the doors to the palace balcony opened, where a visibly happy Frederik stepped onto the palace balcony, first alone, then together with his wife Queen Mary (52), before the children Crown Prince Christian (18), Princess Isabella (17), Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine (both 13) and his mother, Queen Margrethe (84), joined him. Amid thunderous applause and cheers The royal family waved to the waiting fans.
The monarch himself was dressed in a dark blue suit with a light blue shirt and red tie, Queen Mary stood out in a bright pink dress. Old Queen Margrethe wore a magenta dress.
Frederik was particularly lucky with the weather: while the royal family stood on the balcony, they were blessed with bright sunshine. As soon as they entered the palace again, the clouds gathered over the Danish capital and it began to thunder, as the Danish newspaper “BT” reports.
Celebrating on the balcony is a long tradition in Denmark
The birthday celebration on the balcony has a long tradition in the Danish royal family. The day before Frederik’s birthday, the palace announced that Frederik would continue with it. “Amalienborg has provided a setting for many special birthday moments over the years,” it said on InstagramThe royal family also published photo retrospectives of the years 1932, 1946, 1950, 1957, 1965, 1984 and 2015. The palace also announced on Sunday morning a birthday portrait of the king.
In January, Frederik took over the regency from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who had resigned after 52 years. The year has many celebrations in store for him. On May 14, he celebrated his 20th wedding anniversary with his wife Mary.