It's been one year since King Frederik of Denmark ascended the throne. On the first anniversary of his accession, His Majesty penned a personal message, calling the day he became King "emotional and unforgettable."
Alongside photos of the Navy’s full-dress uniform that he wore on his accession day and pictures of himself getting ready at Amalienborg, Frederik wrote (translated to English), "Seriousness. Concentration. A smile on my face. It was all in play when, at this time a year ago, I was getting ready for the proclamation."
The King, 56, noted that "taking over" from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, "without having to say goodbye was and is a privilege of the very great." He added, "January 14, 2024 was an emotional and unforgettable day from start to finish."
On Tuesday, the Danish Royal House also shared behind-the-scenes footage of the King with his family. His Majesty was visibly emotional in one clip. The video also showed the King hugging his younger brother Prince Joachim, as well as Princess Isabella blowing her father a kiss and Crown Prince Christian appearing to say "we love you" before Frederik stepped out onto the balcony of Christiansborg Palace for the proclamation, while Queen Mary and her four kids watched from inside.
Frederik's mother abdicated the throne on the 52nd anniversary of her own accession. Queen Margrethe announced her plan to abdicate in her New Year's Eve speech just two weeks prior. In his first New Year address on Dec. 31, 2024, Frederik admitted that he and his wife "could not have wished for a better start as King and Queen."
"Many people take stock on New Year’s Eve. What do we take with us from the year that has passed, and what do we see ahead of us in the coming year? I take with me one day in particular. The 14th of January," the King said in his speech (translated to English). "The ride through the streets of Copenhagen to Christiansborg Palace. My mother’s last State Council. The minutes before the doors to the balcony opened. A very deep breath. Christiansborg Palace Square. The crowd of people in front of me. My family right behind me."
"Stepping forward and meeting so much support, joy and love. Standing on the balcony together with Queen Mary as Denmark’s King and Queen. Taking it all in – or at least trying to – moved and overwhelmed. This is what I take with me. This is what we take with us. Forever. A thousand thanks," Frederik continued. "A year ago, my mother gave her 52nd New Year Address. An address which took most people by surprise because it turned out to be her last. Tonight, I am giving my first. There is a first time for everything and a last time for everything. These times tend to stand out more clearly than all other times. They are beginnings and endings in the course of life, and we attach special significance to them. The first school day – and the last. We remember them. And we celebrate them."
