Crown Prince Christian of Denmark's plans for after the holidays have been revealed. Queen Mary and King Frederik's eldest child, who has been on an extended stay in East Africa, shared in a personal message on Nov. 28 what lies ahead for him next year. The 19 year old also opened up about his time away from home.
"For almost three months I have been in East Africa. Everyday life down here is completely different from at home. The food, the culture, the climate, the wildlife, the tasks and the people make it an experience I will never forget," he began his message. "In recent weeks I have been working with nature conservation. I help monitor and register animals in the bush and look after the office on the farm."
Referencing a video shared by the Danish Royal House's Instagram, Christian added, "As the video shows, I get very close to the wild animals when they have their GPS collars replaced under anesthesia.I learn a lot about life down here and have helped build new houses for the employees. And then I have played some good football matches with the locals."
The Crown Prince admitted that he is now "starting to look forward to returning home to my family in Denmark and celebrating Christmas in a few weeks. And then I look forward to new challenges!" The Danish King and Queen's firstborn then announced that in February he "will start as conscript at the Guard Hussar Regiment in Slagelse," Denmark.
In addition to the video, photos from the Crown Prince's stay in East Africa accompanied his message on Instagram. Christian, who graduated from high school this past June, traveled to Africa in early September to begin his extended stay. The Danish Royal House has previously noted that in the royal family "there is a long tradition that the successors to the throne go on extended stays abroad during their youth and have the opportunity to develop and experience the world."
After her son left, Queen Mary told Billed Bladet (via B.T. and translated to English), "We are looking forward to everything he will experience and learn on his journey, but at the same time we will miss him unimaginably." Christian will be home for the holidays. The Prince is set to celebrate Christmas at Marselisborg Castle with his parents, younger siblings—Princess Isabella, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine—and his paternal grandmother Queen Margrethe.
