With Queen Margrethe on holiday last month, Crown Prince Frederik once again stepped in to act as regent in her place, effectively meaning he and his wife, Mary, became acting king and queen of Denmark.
It was a significant moment for the couple, who enjoyed what could be their last northern hemisphere summer as Crown Prince and Princess. As well as spending time at Grasten Palace – the summer residence of the Danish royals – Frederik and Mary took a family holiday with their four children around the Danish coastline.
Palace – the summer residence of the Danish royals – Frederik and Mary took a family holiday with their four children around the Danish coastline.
WATCH: Prince Frederik and Princess Mary Participate In The 800 Year Anniversary Of The Danish Flag
“Again this year we have taken our four children on an adventure in Denmark with the Royal Ship Dannebrog,” was the post on the family’s official Instagram account. Over the following days, the royal family posted snapshots of their time together, sailing, exploring islands and learning about local traditions such as using dried seaweed for roofing.
As well as spending time at Grasten over the northern summer months, Margrethe visited their French holiday home, Château de Cayx, in Cahors, where she would holiday yearly with her husband. It is thought that this trip was when the Crown Prince acted as regent.
Queen Margrethe also spent two weeks alone at Marselisborg Palace.
“I am having fun anyway. I really like the place. Aarhus is a nice city and I have a lot of good friends in Jutland that I meet,” she told Danish newspaper Her & Nu.
Ever since the queen’s husband, Prince Henrik, died in February 2018 speculation has been mounting as to when she will abdicate to let her eldest son take the throne.
She told Her & Nu that she was still grieving for the loss of her husband, saying, “We take the days as they come. That is the only way to live. I’m so lucky that I still have a job. It’s a huge help. It’s actually mighty good and healthy.”
Although it’s rare for a Danish royal to abdicate, it’s nonetheless widely thought Margrethe will step down from the position she’s held for more than 47 years next April when she turns 80. This year on her 79th birthday, the monarch gave a clear indication that she was finally ready to hand over power. At a private dinner to celebrate the event, she reportedly toasted Mary and Frederik, saying she wanted them to take over after her next birthday.
“You are ready and you will be amazing at your job,” an emotional Margrethe apparently told her son and daughter-in-law.
“I trust you and feel secure handing over to such a wonderful couple.”
According to a royal insider, hearing his mother’s praise caused Frederik to tear up. He then proposed a toast to the queen and kissed her on both cheeks while Mary looked on proudly.
Margrethe is clearly ready to hand over the throne and is confident that her son and daughter-in-law are more than ready to become the country’s lead royals. Tellingly, she said of Frederik during a tour to Argentina: “He is fantastic, much better than me!”
For the past few years, Frederik and Mary’s roles have become increasingly high profile as they prepare for the future. “The queen is slowly handing over many duties to Frederik and Mary, and she sees the future of the royal family is in safe hands,” explains the source.
Frederik and Mary were expected to play a significant role in US President Donald Trump’s visit to Denmark before he cancelled the trip last month. When hosting previous state visits, Margrethe was supported by Henrik.
Last year Frederik revealed that despite having his life mapped out, he was still full of ideas for the future.
“I still have new dreams to work on and want to do lots of good things in life,” he said. “I have made my own path, because I have been able to, during my adult life.
“I have chopped my own way through the woods instead of taking the path already there.”
Royal reporter Jacob Heinel Jensen of Se Og Hoer magazine agrees that the queen is ready for Frederik to become king.
“I don’t have any doubt she feels Frederik is ready with Mary by his side. She thinks Mary is a very strong woman who brings out the best in her son. Mary is already the de facto queen in many people’s eyes.”
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