Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, the 15-year-old twins and youngest children of King Frederik and Queen Mary, celebrated their confirmation this Saturday.
Beyond simply reaffirming the faith they were baptized into, this sacrament holds significant symbolic weight in Nordic countries, serving as a formal rite of passage from childhood into adolescence. For the Danish Crown, it is a milestone event that underscores tradition and continuity, featuring a religious ceremony and setting that have remained virtually unchanged for over a century.
© Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty ImaFredensborg Palace Church once again served as the backdrop for the ceremony, following a tradition set in 1955 with Queen Margrethe’s confirmation and in 1981 with that of her eldest son, the current King. More recently, Crown Prince Christian in 2021 and Princess Isabella a year later took part in the religious rite, which was officiated by the royal confessor, Bishop Henrik Wigh-Poulsen.
Vincent and Josephine have been preparing for this milestone for weeks, attending services and meeting with the royal confessor alongside their grandmother, Queen Margrethe. While it is a joyous occasion, the memory of their maternal grandfather surely hangs over the day. Just last week, Queen Mary’s father, John Donaldson, passed away at 84 in his home state of Tasmania.
© IDA MARIE ODGAARD"My heart is heavy, and my thoughts are gray. My beloved father has passed away," a grieving Mary wrote. "But I know that once the pain settles, the memories will brighten my days, and what will remain strongest is the love and gratitude for everything he gave me and taught me."
King Frederik’s wife has already made her first public appearances following the loss of her father. In fact, her mother-in-law, Queen Margrethe, publicly corrected her this past Thursday during a greeting for the former monarch’s birthday. When Mary of Denmark leaned down to pet Tilia, the Queen’s dog, Margrethe told her daughter-in-law, "I don’t think now is the right time for that." It was a breach of protocol that prompted Queen Mary to quickly stand back up with a solemn expression.
© NurPhotoClearly still deeply saddened, Queen Mary took a moment on the eve of her children’s big day to publicly acknowledge the outpouring of support and condolences she has received.
"My sincerest thanks for the overwhelming number of messages, flowers, and kind thoughts following the death of my father," she shared. "The incredible amount of empathy we’ve been shown has touched us deeply and means more than words can express."
Surrounded by Love
Despite the absence of their grandfather, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine were surrounded by the entire Royal Family during the ceremony. The gathering included their parents, King Frederik and Queen Mary, and their siblings, Christian and Isabella. Princess Isabella turns 19 on Tuesday, April 14th, sharing a birth year with Spain’s Infanta Sofía, who celebrates her own birthday on April 29. Also in attendance were the twins' grandmother, Queen Margrethe, as well as Prince Joachim and Princess Marie, who is Josephine’s godmother. They were joined by their cousins, Henrik and Athena. Athena is set to be confirmed herself in just two weeks, though her ceremony will take place in the United States.
© IDA MARIE ODGAARDIn addition to Princess Marie, the rest of the godparents were also in attendance. While the National Church of Denmark (Evangelical Lutheran) doesn't enforce a strict rule requiring exactly six godparents per child, it is customary in the Danish Royal Family to have several rather than the one or two common in other denominations.
Prince Vincent has the distinct honor of counting King Felipe VI among his godparents, and in a surprise move, the Spanish monarch made sure not to miss the event. King Felipe had a clear schedule this Saturday until the evening, when he is set to travel to Seville for the 9:00 p.m. kickoff of the Copa del Rey final between Atlético Madrid and Real Sociedad.
© IDA MARIE ODGAARDNotably, when Vincent was baptized, the then-Prince of Asturias was unable to attend due to an official trip to the Middle East. This time, he was determined to be there. Upon his arrival, he was greeted by his godson, the Prince's sister, and the rest of the Danish royals with a warm embrace.
The Other 'Super Godparents'
Along with King Felipe, the rest of Vincent’s godparents in attendance included his maternal uncle, John Stuart Donaldson; Prince Gustav of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg; Count Michael Ahlefeldt-Laurvig-Bille; Baroness Helle Reedtz-Thott; and Caroline Heering.
Princess Josephine’s spiritual guardians are her aunt by marriage, Princess Marie; His Royal Highness Prince Charles of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro; her maternal aunt, Patricia Bailey; Count Bendt Wedell; Birgitte Handwerk; and Josephine Rechner. At this time, it is still unconfirmed exactly how many of these godparents will be able to join the confirmands for Saturday's celebrations.
© NurPhoto via Getty ImagesVincent and Josephine enjoyed the rare privilege of being confirmed before four sovereigns: their parents, King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark; their grandmother, Queen Margrethe; and Vincent's godfather, King Felipe VI. An hour before the Danish royals made their appearance, guests began arriving at Fredensborg in their private cars.
The guests of honor arrived at the church on foot alongside their parents and siblings, enjoying a sunny day with mild spring temperatures. Josephine looked radiant in a long-sleeved white midi dress with her hair styled in loose waves. Her ensemble served as a touching nod to her grandmother, who also chose white for her own confirmation. She completed the look with a cross and various pearl jewelry.
© NurPhotoQueen Mary, dressed in a dark blue pantsuit, arrived hand-in-hand with her husband. The Danish Queen wore Queen Marie Sophie Frederikke’s large sapphire brooch, a historic piece once belonging to the wife of King Frederik VI. Princess Isabella also opted for a pantsuit, hers in a vibrant green. Queen Margrethe warmly welcomed her grandchildren upon their arrival. Just before the ceremony began, it was also spotted that Vincent is currently wearing braces.
© IDA MARIE ODGAARDPrince Joachim and Princess Marie were also in attendance, accompanied by Joachim’s eldest sons, Nikolai and Felix. His younger children, Henrik and Athena, did not make the trip to Copenhagen. The family members greeted one another with warm embraces and affectionate kisses.
The greetings with the godparents were particularly touching; King Felipe shared a very emotional moment with his godson, the Prince's sister, and Queen Mary. According to Billed-Bladet, King Felipe took the opportunity to offer Mary his personal condolences on the loss of her father.
Their First Solo Press Appearance
Following the confirmation, Vincent and Josephine held their first-ever solo press conference, joined by their parents and siblings. Vincent showed his affectionate side, at one point embracing his sister, whom he fondly calls "Fine." During the session, the Princess shared her plans for the coming year: she is wrapping up her first year of secondary school at the Spir School and will be heading into ninth grade at Ingrid Jespersen’s School.
The siblings proved just how close they really are. "It’s incredible to have her here," Vincent said, adding, "I’m so happy to have Fine by my side and to go through everything together," speaking of his sister, who is 26 minutes younger than him.
© NurPhoto"I couldn't imagine a celebration without him. It wouldn't be nearly as special," she said. "It’s always so nice to have the support of someone you know you can truly count on."
© Karen Rosetzsky, La Casa ReaThe private celebration will continue following the ceremony at the Fredensborg Castle orangery, with festivities expected to last well into the night. Built in 1995, the conservatory serves as a winter sanctuary for citrus trees, myrtles, laurels, and other plants that can’t withstand the harsh Danish climate. It is a lush space filled with pinecones, lemons, kumquats, and a sea of flowers.
© Karen Rosetzsky, La Casa ReaSeveral areas of the interior are painted a warm yellow, giving the space a unique, inviting glow. The flooring is even laid in the same intricate pattern as the castle’s throne room. The venue has been adorned with grand chandeliers for the party, creating a truly unique atmosphere for the occasion.
Official Portraits
© Karen Rosetzsky, La Casa Rea
© Karen Rosetzsky, La Casa ReaThe Danish Royal House released the official confirmation portraits after the religious ceremony, capturing moments at the Chancellery before the service commenced. The collection features a series of striking black-and-white photographs of the Prince and Princess, both together and individually, as well as portraits alongside their parents and siblings.
© Karen Rosetzsky, La Casa ReaThe young royals also spoke about the heartbreak of losing their grandfather.
"It’s been incredibly difficult for me and the entire family, and we miss him so much," they said with visible emotion. "But he will always be in our hearts. We’re so saddened by what happened, especially since it was right before our confirmation. But we know he’s with us. We miss him dearly, and it brings us peace to know he’s in a better place now."
