37 Facts About Frederik X

Frederik X acceded to the throne following his mother's abdication in 2024.

Frederik X was born during the reign of his maternal grandfather, King Frederik IX, and became Crown Prince of Denmark following his mother's accession in 1972.

Frederik X earned a Master of Science degree in political science from Aarhus University.

Frederik X has trained in all three branches of the Danish Armed Forces.

Frederik X met Australian marketing consultant Mary Donaldson while attending the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney.

Frederik X was born by emergency caesarean section at Rigshospitalet, the Copenhagen University Hospital in Copenhagen, on 26 May 1968 at 23:50 to the then Princess Margrethe, oldest daughter of King Frederik X IX and heir presumptive to the Danish throne, and Prince Henrik.

Frederik X was baptised on 24 June 1968, at Holmen Church, in Copenhagen.

Frederik X was named Frederik after his maternal grandfather, King Frederik IX, continuing the Danish royal tradition of the heir apparent being named either Frederik or Christian.

Frederik X became Crown Prince of Denmark when his mother ascended to the throne on 14 January 1972.

Frederik X attended primary school at Krebs' Skole between 1974 and 1981, as a private pupil at Amalienborg Palace from 1974 to 1976, and from the third form again at Krebs' Skole.

Frederik X is the first Danish royal to complete a university education.

Frederik X took up a position for three months with the Danish UN mission in New York in 1994.

Frederik X completed the course in the prescribed number of years with an exam result above average, thus becoming the first royal to obtain a master's degree.

Frederik X's final paper was an analysis on the foreign policy of the Baltic States, which he had visited several times during his studies.

Frederik X succeeded her as King of Denmark on 14 January 2024, after Margrethe formally signed an instrument of abdication during a meeting of the Council of State.

Frederik X's motto is, the first motto that does not mention God since Frederik VII.

On 31 January 2024, Frederik X visited Poland and was received by its president Andrzej Duda, in his first overseas trip as monarch.

Danish monarchs traditionally travel first to another Scandinavian country, but Frederik X had planned the trip prior to Margrethe's abdication.

Frederik X issued a royal decree to update the royal coat of arms from his mother's 1972 design.

Frederik X has a special interest in scientific research, climate change, and sustainability.

Frederik X participated in expeditions, forums and events on climate.

Frederik X is a patron and honorary member of various sports organizations, and a former member of the International Olympic Committee.

Frederik X is an avid sportsman, running marathons in Copenhagen, New York, and Paris, and completing the 42 kilometers with a respectable time of 3 hours, 22 minutes and 50 seconds in the Copenhagen Marathon.

Frederik X is a keen sailor, being an accomplished Farr 40 and International Dragon skipper.

In 2016, on the subject of the Olympics in Rio, Frederik X told the press that he did not regret not chasing his dream to compete in the Olympics after meeting his wife.

Frederik X had always thought about training and competing, but that would have required him to limit his activities and concentrate on training, instead, he put his energy into other aspects of life.

In October 2016, Frederik X had to cancel his appearance at the royal reception for the Danish Olympic and Paralympic athletes after he fractured his spine while jumping on a trampoline with his eldest son.

Frederik X took part in the relay event during the 2019 IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Aarhus in March 2019.

On 9 October 2009, Crown Prince Frederik X was elected a member of the International Olympic Committee, replacing former Danish member Kaj Holm, who had reached the age of retirement.

Frederik X announced that his point of focus and reason for joining the International Olympic Committee is to promote an active lifestyle among youth.

Frederik X was elected for an eight-year term, and made it clear that he would terminate his membership upon ascending the Danish throne.

In 2012, Frederik X carried the Olympic flame through Notting Hill, a neighbourhood in West London.

In 2016, Frederik X faced criticism for voting against Danish Minister for Culture Bertel Haarder and a majority in the Danish Parliament's wishes on the subject of whether or not Russia should be allowed to compete at the 2016 Summer Olympics following allegations of state-sponsored doping.

However, in 2021, Frederik X was announced that he would step down as an active member of the International Olympic Committee at the committee's annual session prior to the 2020 Summer Olympics, citing a wish to intensify his everyday work as the reason for stepping down in the middle of his term.

In celebration of his 50th birthday, on 21 May 2018, Frederik X initiated a public running event across five cities in Denmark called Royal Run with more than 70,000 participants, including himself and his own family.

Prince Frederik X was part of the polar expedition as a film photographer, whose job was to ensure an optimal coverage of this event.

Frederik X was originally styled "His Royal Highness Prince Frederik X of Denmark".