A look at Denmark’s next Crown Prince

Come 14 January 2024, Denmark will have a new crown prince.

On that day, Prince Christian will assume the role of Crown Prince of Denmark, but who is the 18-year-old royal?

Christian Valdemar Henri John was born to Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary on 15 October 2005.

He has three younger siblings, Princess Isabella (16), Prince Vincent (12) and Princess Josephine (12).

By VisitCopenhagen – https://www.flickr.com/photos/visitcopenhagen/6038149106/sizes/o/in/photostream/, CC BY 2.0

The Prince was christened on 21 January 2006 in the Royal Chapel of Christiansborg Palace with his paternal uncle Prince Joachim; maternal aunt Jane Stephens; paternal cousin Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece; Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden; Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway; Jeppe Handwerk and Hamish Campbell.

He was the first member of the Danish Royal Family to attend nursery school and a public state school. Christian and his siblings spent a few months studying abroad in Switzerland before the COVID-19 pandemic.

There was controversy while he attended the Danish boarding school Herlufsholm when accusations of bullying, violence and sexual abuse were disclosed in a documentary. The Crown Prince Couple withdrew Christian from the school once the accusations were made public. He was then transferred to the public Ordrup Gymnasium.

Dennis Stenild, Kongehuset ©

He came of age on 15 October 2023 with a balcony appearance, gala dinner and party in Copenhagen.

Prince Christian made history in November 2023 when he took his oath to the Danish constitution as this was the first time in over 100 years that three generations were present for the oath-swearing ceremony. This was the first time in 100 years that three generations of the monarchy, including the heir to the throne and his heir, were able to ascend the throne or act as head of state.

In his 18 years, Christian has attended a few public events and tours alongside his parents, but now that he is set to be the Crown Prince, we can expect to see him more in the public eye.