King Frederik helps celebrate Red Cross’s 150th anniversary

King Frederik helped celebrate the Red Cross’s 150th anniversary at the Volunteer House in Østerbro in Copenhagen.

King Frederik opened a commemorative exhibition about the Red Cross’s work over the last 150 years.

He held the inaugural speech in which he said, “My travels with the Red Cross have left an impression on me. It is impressive to meet people who are struggling to survive, and where the Red Cross’ work can mean the difference between success and failure. The human encounter makes something distant become something close. You get close to people. You feel for them. 

“For 150 years, the Red Cross has upheld humanity and helped those who need it most – without distinguishing between friend and foe. You have worked hard in every part of the world, and you remain the neutral party in some of the world’s most difficult conflicts. I’m proud to be a part of that. And I’m proud that my family has been a part of it from the very beginning.

“In 1877, my great-great-grandfather Christian the 9th became the first patron of the Red Cross in Denmark. My grandmother, Queen Ingrid, was a Red Cross nurse from Sweden. And my father, Prince Henrik, always spoke with empathy about his experiences when he had been away with the Red Cross. He valued his role as a patron highly.

“The Red Cross is always there – for everyone. Also, here at home. The need is different here, but the focus is the same: Humanity.”

Afterwards, he was given a tour of the exhibition alongside President Jette Runchel, Secretary General Anders Ladekarl and former Deputy Secretary General Preben Søegaard Hansen.