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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →King Frederik X is Denmark’s sovereign, and his eldest child, Crown Prince Christian, is first in line to the throne. Frederik is the son of former Queen Margrethe II, whose abdication took effect on 14 January 2024. Here is how the current royal family fits together—and how family ties differ from succession.
Denmark’s royal family at a glance
The Royal House’s current family listing includes a succession list. That list shows the order of succession; it is not a complete genealogy of everyone related to the Danish royal family.
- Queen Margrethe II and Prince Henrik had two sons: Frederik and Joachim.
- King Frederik X and Queen Mary have four children: Crown Prince Christian, Princess Isabella, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine.
- Prince Joachim has four children: Counts Nikolai and Felix, Count Henrik and Countess Athena.
Frederik’s official biography describes his parents, marriage and children in more detail: HM The King. The family’s current titles reflect changes made when Frederik became king.
Who is in the line of succession?
The sovereign’s four children appear first, in birth order. Joachim’s children follow them, and Princess Benedikte is listed after Joachim’s children. The Royal House says the throne is inherited among descendants of Christian X and Queen Alexandrine. Its official succession list is the place to check the current order.
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- Crown Prince Christian
- Princess Isabella
- Prince Vincent
- Princess Josephine
- Count Nikolai
- Count Felix
- Count Henrik
- Countess Athena
- Princess Benedikte
Being part of the wider royal family does not by itself determine where someone stands in the succession. Titles and family relationships are related to, but distinct from, the legal order of inheritance.
How the succession rule works
Under the current rule, the sovereign’s oldest child succeeds regardless of gender. A 2009 amendment established this equal order of succession. Before that, the 1953 change allowed women to inherit but gave male descendants precedence. The Royal House explains the rule and its history on its succession page.
Why Frederik and Mary became king and queen
On 2 January 2024, the Royal House announced that the titles would change when Margrethe’s abdication took effect on 14 January. Frederik became King Frederik X, Mary became Queen Mary, and their son Christian became Crown Prince. Margrethe retained the title Queen Margrethe after leaving the throne. The announcement is recorded in the Royal House’s notice on changes in the titles of the Royal Family.
Queen Margrethe is therefore the former sovereign and Frederik’s mother, not the reigning monarch. Her family, accession and abdication are covered in the official biography of HM Queen Margrethe.
Where Denmark’s monarchy began
The Royal House traces the monarchy’s roots to Gorm the Old, who died in 958. It describes the institution as having shifted from elective to hereditary rule, becoming constitutional under the 1849 constitution, and adopting female succession provisions in 1953. The House says: “The Danish Monarchy has existed for over 1000 years and is among the oldest in the world.” The historical account is on its History page.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What is current about Princess Isabella?
According to the Royal House’s biography, Princess Isabella graduated from Øregård Gymnasium on 23 June 2026 and began military service as a conscript with the Guard Hussar Regiment in August 2026. Those dated details are listed in the biography of HRH Princess Isabella.
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- The Danish Royal Family From The Book The Year 1912 Illustrated Published London 1913
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- Paper Size: 12.00 x 17.00 inches
- Licensor: Design Pics
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