Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark
Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark, Count of Monpezat, RE, SKmd (Frederik Andre Henrik Christian; born 26 May 1968) is the heir apparent to the Danish throne. He is the elder son of Queen Margrethe II and Prince Henrik.
Early Life
Crown Prince Frederik was born by emergency C-section at Rigshospitalet the Copenhagen University Hospital in Copenhagen, on 26 May 1968 at 23:50 to the then Princess Margrethe, oldest daughter of Frederick IX and heir presumptive to the Danish throne. and Prince Henrik. At the time of his birth, his maternal grandfather was on the throne of Denmark and his matrilineal great-grandfather was on the throne of Sweden.
He was christened on 24 June 1968, at Holmen Church, in Copenhagen. He was named Frederik for his maternal grandfather, King Frederick IX, continuing the Danish royal tradition of the heir apparent being named either Frederick or Christian. His middle names honor his paternal grandfather, Andre de Laborde de Monpezat; his father, Prince Henrik; and his maternal great-grandfather, Christian X. Frederik's godparents were his maternal aunt, Queen of the Hellenes; his paternal uncle; Count Etienne de Laborde de Monpezat; his extended relatives, Prince George of Denmark and Grand Duchess Josephine-Charlotte of Luxembourg; and friends of his parents, Baron Christian de Watteville-Berckheim and Birgitta Juel Hillingso.
He became Crown Prince of Denmark when his mother ascended to the throne as Margrethe II on 14 January 1972. Crown Prince Frederik’s only sibling is his younger brother Prince Joachim of Denmark.
Education and Career
Frederik 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.
From 1982 to 1983, he attended the Ecole des Roches, a boarding school in Normandy, France. In 1986, Frederik graduated from Oregard Gymnasium. In addition to Danish, he is fluent in French (his father’s language), English, and German.
In 1986 he began a course in political science at Aarhus University. This included a year at Harvard University (1992-1993) under the name of Frederik Henriksen, studying political science and participating in the Phoenix-SK Club. He then took up a position for three months with the Danish UN mission in New York in 1994. In 1995, he obtained his MSc degree in political science from Aarhus University. He 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. His final paper was an analysis on the foreign policy of the Baltic States, which he had visited several times during his studies. The prince was posted as First Secretary to the Danish Embassy in Paris from October 1998 to October 1999.
Military Career
Frederik has completed extensive military studies and training in all three services, notably completing the education as frogman in the naval elite special operations forces Fromandskorpset (The Frogman Corps). It was here that he earned the nickname "Pingo," when his wetsuit filled with water and he was forced to waddle like a penguin.
In the period 2001 and 2002, he completed further training for leaders at the Royal Danish Defense College.
Frederik remains active in the defense services, and in the period 2002-2003 served as a staff officer at Defense Command Denmark, and from 2003 as a senior lecturer with the Institute of Strategy at the Royal Danish Defense College.
-The Royal Life Guard (1986)
-Lieutenant in the Reserve (Army) (1988)
-Reconnaissance Platoon Commander with the Royal Guard Hussars' Regiment (1988)
-First Lieutenant in the Reserve (Army) (1989)
-Royal Danish Navy The Frogman Corps (1995)
-First Lieutenant in the Reserve (Navy) (1995)
-Captain in the Reserve (Army) (1997)
-Lieutenant Commander in the Reserve (Navy) (1997)
-Royal Danish Air Force Flying School (2000)
-Captain in the Reserve (Air Force) (2000)
-Command and General Staff Course, Royal Danish Defense College (2001-2002)
-Commander (Navy) and Major (Army, Air Force) (2002)
-Staff Officer, Defense Command Denmark (2002-2003)
-Senior lecturer with the Institute of Strategy at the Royal Danish Defense College, (2003-)
-Commander, senior grade (Navy), lieutenant colonel (Air Force, Army) (2004)
-Captain (Navy), Colonel (Air Force, Army) (2010)_
-Rear Admiral (Navy), Major General (Air Force, Army) (2015)
Marriage and Children
During a Council of State on 8 October 2003, Queen Margrethe gave her consent to the marriage of Crown Prince Frederik to Mary Elizabeth Donaldson, an Australian marketing consultant whom the prince had met while attending the Sydney Olympics in 2000. Their wedding took place on 14 May 2004 at Copenhagen Cathedral, Copenhagen.
The couple have four children: Christian (born 15 October 2005), Isabella (born 21 April 200) and twins Vincent and Josephine (born 8 January 2011).
Areas of Interest-Scientific Research, Climate Change and Sustainability
Frederik has a special interest in scientific research, climate change and sustainability. He was interviewed by Financial Times and CNN International, in the Future Cities program, for their commitment to sustainability. He participated in expeditions, forum and events on climate. The prince has represented Denmark as a promoter of sustainable Danish energy. The prince was one of the authors of the Polartokt (Polar Cruise Royal), about the challenges of climate, published in 2009 with a preface written by Kofi Annan. In 2010, wrote the book's foreword Naturen og klimaaendringerne i Nordostgronland (The nature and climate change in Greenland). Supports scientific research projects, as a patron, as expeditionary, with regular attendance at events throughout his foundation, Kronprins Frederiks Fond.
Sports and Health
The prince encourages Danish participation in sports. He is a patron and honorary member of various sports organizations, and a member of the International Olympic Committee. He also promotes an active lifestyle in society.
Frederik 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. In 2013, he completed the KMD Ironman Copenhagen in the time of 10:45:32 and is the first royal person to complete an Ironman.
Frederik is a keen sailor, being a competitive Farr 40 skipper as well as an accomplished Dragon boater. He won victories and was a leader in the steps championships. He finished in fourth place in the European Championship Dragon Class 2003 (with 51 boats participating), and at number 4 in the Farr 40 World 2008 (with 33 boats participating). He was the first in his class boat in Fyn Cup in Denmark, and at number 4 in the Dragon DM (with 25 boats participating).
In 2016, in lieu of the Olympics in Rio, Frederik told press that he did not regret not chasing his dream to compete in the Olympics after meeting his wife. He had always though 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 had to cancel his appearance at the royal reception for the Danish Olympics and Paralympic athletes after he fractured his spine while jumping on a trampoline with his eldest son.
Frederik also took part in the relay event during the 2019 IAAF World Cross Country Championship in Aarhus in March 2019.
Frederik also competes in cross-country skiing, and has skied the Vasaloppet with Norway's Crown Prince Haakon.
Royal Run
In celebration of his 50th birthday, on 21 May 2018, Frederik initiated a public running event across the five biggest cities in Denmark called "Royal Run" with more than 70,000 participants including Frederik and his own family. The event was generally deemed as "exceeding expectations" by the public.
The event has since become annual and was continued in 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The 2020 version was cancelled due to the COVID-19 situation in Denmark.
Crown Prince Frederik's Foundation
The purpose of the foundation is to provide financial assistance to students of social policy and sciences, for one year's study at Harvard and provide financial support for scientific expeditions, particularly to foreign parts of the world, including Greenland and the Faeroe Islands and sports purposes, including those with a particularly social aspect.
Participation in Expeditions
The Crown Prince participated in an expedition to Mongolia in 1986. In 2000, the Crown Prince participated in "Expedition Sirius 2000," which was a four-month and 2,795 km dog-sledge expedition in the northern part of Greenland. The expedition Sirius marked the 50-year anniversary of the Sirius Patrol. Prince Frederik was part of the polar expedition as a film photographer, whose job was to ensure an optimal coverage of this event.
International Olympic Committee
On 9 October 2009, Crown Prince Frederik was elected a member of the International Olympic Committee, replacing former Danish member Kaj Holm, who had reached the age of retirement. The Crown Prince's candidature was met with some skepticism in Denmark, as it would mean that the Crown Prince would be on a semi-political committee along with several people who are suspected or even convicted of criminal acts. Another concern was whether or not the Crown Prince's loyalty would be towards his country and government, as the Danish constitution prescribes, or with the International Olympic Committee, as is sworn upon election to the committee. The Crown Prince was given special observer status in National Olympic Committee and Sports Confederation of Denmark, as a way to allow him to work, without having political power.
Frederik announced that his point of focus and reason for joining the International Olympic Committee is to promote an active lifestyle among youth. He 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 carried the Olympic flame through Notting Hill, a neighborhood in West London.
In 2016, Frederik 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.
On 19 June 2017, the Crown Prince announced that he would continue another term of 8 years. However, in 2021, Frederik 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.
Titles, Styles, Honors
Honors
National Honors
Denmark:
-Knight of the Order of the Elephant (R.E.) (14 January 1972)
-Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Dannebrog (S.Kmd) (1 January 2004)
-Recipient of the Cross of Honor of the Order of the Dannebrog (D.Ht.)
-Recipient of the Royal Medal of Recompense, 1st Class
-Recipient of the Naval Long Service Medal
-Recipient of the Homeguard Medal of Merit
-Recipient of the Medal of Honor of the Reserve Officers League
-Recipient of the Military Athletic Medal of Honor
-Recipient of the 50th Anniversary Medal of the arrival of Queen Ingrid of Denmark
-Recipient of the 50th Birthday Medal of Queen Margrethe II
-Recipient of the Silver Anniversary Medal of Queen Margrethe II and Prince Henrik
-Recipient of the Silver Jubilee of Queen Margrethe II
-Recipient of the 100th Anniversary Medal of the Birth of King Frederik IX
-Recipient of the Queen Ingrid Commemorative Medal
-Recipient of the 75th Birthday Medal of Prince Henrik
-Recipient of the 350th Anniversary Medal of the Royal Danish Life Guards
-Recipient of the 70th Birthday Medal of Queen Margrethe II
-Recipient of the Ruby Jubilee Medal of Queen Margrethe II
-Recipient of the 400th Anniversary Medal of the Guard Hussar Regiment
-Recipient of the 75th Birthday Medal of Queen Margrethe II
-Recipient of the Golden Anniversary Medal of Queen Margrethe II and Prince Henrik
-Recipient of the Prince Henrik's Commemorative Medal
-Recipient of the 80th Birthday Medal of Queen Margrethe II
-Recipient of the Golden Jubilee Medal of Queen Margrethe II
-Greenland: Recipient of the Nersornaat Medal for Meritorious Service, 1st Class
Foreign Honors
-Belgium: Grand Cordon of the Order of Leopold
-Brazil: Grand Cross of the Order of the Southern Cross, Grand Cross of the Order of Rio Branco
-Bulgaria: First Class of the Order of the Balkan Mountains
-Chile: Grand Cross of the Order of Merit
-Estonia: First Class of the Order of the Cross of Terra Mountains
-Finland: Grand Cross of the Order of the White Rose of Finland
-France: Grand Cross of the Order of National Merit
-Germany: Grand Cross 1st Class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
-Greece: Grand Cross of the Order of Honor
-Iceland: Grand Cross of the Order of the Falcon
-Italy: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
-Japan: Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum
-Jordan: Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Renaissance
-Lativa: Commander Grand Cross of the Order of the Three Stars
-Luxembourg: Grand Cross of the Order of Adolphe of Nassau
-Nepalese Royal Family: Member of the Royal Order of Ojaswi Rajanya
-Mexico: Sash of Special Category of the Order of the Aztec Eagle
-Netherlands: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Netherlands Lion, Recipient of the King Willem-Alexander Inauguration Medal
-Norway: Grand Cross of the Order of Saint Olav
-Romania: Grand Cross of the Order of the Star of Romania
-Spain: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic (6 November 2023)
-Sweden: Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Order of the Seraphim, Recipient of the 70th Birthday Badge Medal of King Carl XVI Gustaf, Recipient of the Golden Badge Medal of King Carl XVI Gustaf
-Thailand: Grand Cross of the Order of Chula Chom Klao
Titles and Styles
24 June 1968-14 January 1972: His Royal Highness Prince Frederik Andre Henrik Christian of Denmark
14 January 1972-29 April 2008: His Royal Highness The Crown Prince of Denmark
29 April 2008-14 January 2024His Royal Highness The Crown Prince of Denmark, Count of Monpezat
14 January 2024 His Majesty The King, Count of Monpezat
House: Glucksburg (official), Monpezat (agnatic)
Religion: Church of Denmark
