King Frederik gives first New Year speech of reign

King Frederik gave his first New Year speech as the monarch of Denmark.

His Majesty spoke about the change in Denmark this year – when his mother, Queen Margrethe, abdicated in January and praised her by saying that no one could give a New Year speech like her.

He said: “Something has changed. For my mother, Queen Margrethe, for me and for you. Even though we have all had a year to get used to the idea, I am aware that there may still be some who are a little nervous on my behalf. Because can the New Year’s speech be given by anyone other than Queen Margrethe?”

A proud father, he mentioned his son, Crown Prince Christian’s graduation from high school and the challenges young people face.

“As parents of four teenagers, Mary and I have learned that it is useful to listen. To ask without assuming. To wait before acting immediately. Our children are different. So are young people. There is no one story that embraces everyone. The best way to get a sense of who young people are is to let them each have their say. Time and again, they impress with their understanding of themselves and others,” he said.

King Frederik also touched on the ongoing wars in the world and welcoming Finland and Sweden to NATO.

He closed by mentioning that Danes all have a duty to Denmark: “We are all connected and each one of us has a duty in the Kingdom of Denmark. From the Danish minority in South Schleswig – which is actually outside the kingdom – all the way to Greenland.”

He added that he would not forget his first New Year speech to them as King of Denmark: “My first New Year’s speech. It won’t come again, but I’ll never forget it. They say that “a well begun is half done”. That may be saying a lot, but Mary and I couldn’t have wished for a better start as a Royal Couple. We look forward to tackling everything that comes in the new year, and above all, to following along. With each other and with all of you. “