Life in a royal family is not always fairytale-like. Why Frederik and Christian of Denmark grew up so differently
In her new film “Denmark’s Royal Children: Departure and Legacy” (July 23, 2024, 8:15 p.m., ZDF and in the media library since 10 a.m.), Julia Melchior shows how extremely differently today’s King Frederik X (56) and his son, heir to the throne Christian (18), grew up. In an interview with spot on news, the royal expert explains what the king, as a real team player, does differently than his mother, “solo regent” Margrethe II (84). Melchior also reveals whether Frederik is really as likeable as he seems in the film.
Your new film shows, among other things, Frederik’s difficult childhood. What did he suffer from in particular?
Julia Melchior: Frederik makes no secret of the fact that he suffered greatly under his father’s authoritarian upbringing. Prince Henrik came from a French family of counts, and a strict upbringing was quite common at the time. But the way he treated the children, which from today’s perspective may seem heartless, was not only due to the spirit of the times, but also to the fact that Frederik’s mother ascended to the throne at just 31 years of age. Queen Margrethe was a young mother at the head of state in a time critical of the monarchy and dominated by men. In other words, she had to prove herself first. She took her role very seriously and that was to the detriment of the family. As he grew older, Frederik understood that too, but he and Mary still handled their children very differently.
What are the biggest differences?
Melchior: Frederik and Mary are very careful about their work-life balance. For example, school holidays are sacred. They also practiced this when they first became king and queen. A few weeks after their accession to the throne, the Danish winter holidays were and they simply went away with the children as usual. They also took time for their family during the Easter holidays. They were criticized for this, but they accept it. Family time is simply sacred to them.
This way, the royal couple’s children always know when it is their time. Is it known whether other royal families do the same?
Melchior: The Spanish have what they call “summer holidays” on Mallorca, but these are not really holidays because the royal family always has to appear somewhere. After that, however, they are always away for two weeks, as if they had disappeared from the scene, and nobody knows where in the world they are on holiday. They have managed this feat of secrecy since the children were small.
Back to Frederik: In the film it seems that Queen Margrethe is generally not very good with small children, but as a mother she was more able to deal with her older sons. What kind of grandmother is she?
Melchior: The same applies there. She didn’t devote herself to her little grandchildren with full fervor and devotion. Even as a grandmother, she couldn’t do much with them at first. Now the grandchildren are just growing up on her. But it is also known that Margrethe respects the fact that Frederik and Mary do things differently and give the family and especially the children a kind of safe space and time off. In this way, they can be children away from the public eye, mature and also make mistakes, which was not possible for Frederik and Joachim in this way.
Margrethe is extremely talented artistically, Frederik is particularly athletic. Is Christian already developing a similar passion?
Melchior: Possibly. But because his parents shielded him for a long time, we don’t know much about him yet. He has only really stepped into the spotlight since his 18th birthday in autumn 2023 and his father’s accession to the throne in early 2024. That made him crown prince. We are slowly learning more about him.
Back to Frederik: There are also some other royal families whose important representatives are inclined towards extreme sports…
Melchior: That is indeed striking. Albert of Monaco threw himself down the bobsled flags like mad. Crown Prince Haakon of Norway is an absolute extreme athlete, surfing, skiing and challenging expeditions through the eternal ice. Carl Philip of Sweden is a racing driver. For these men, it is very important to be able to honestly measure themselves based on their own performance. In other areas, this is not possible for them. For example, at school or university. People often say: He only got his degree because he is a prince.
There are several interview sequences with King Frederik in the film. Is he really as likeable as he seems?
Melchior: That’s not misleading and that’s why he’s so popular. In surveys, Frederik and Mary have an approval rating of around 85 percent, which is more than the approval rating for the monarchy in general. Although approval has been very high for years at 70 to 80 percent. So there are also many people who are not in favor of the monarchy but still support Frederik and Mary. Maintaining this level of approval is of course also a challenge. At the beginning of his reign, Frederik and Mary were a little more withdrawn. But in May they started with the big trips and appointments.
Perhaps this is a sign that the timing of the change of throne was as surprising to the family as it was to everyone else?
Melchior: That’s possible. Especially since we know that Queen Margrethe does a lot of things on her own. This also fits with the streamlining of the monarchy that she implemented in 2022. At the time, she announced that her grandchildren would be stripped of all titles and privileges by her second-born son Joachim. It was a radical decision that caused a big stir. Joachim himself found out about it just five days before the public. Margrethe was a solo regent. She decided everything on her own. In contrast, the new royal couple sees themselves as a team.
The fact that this “slimming down of the monarchy” does not only have advantages can currently be seen in the British royal family. Is this a kind of warning not to become too slim?
Melchior: In Great Britain, after the cancer diagnoses of King Charles and Kate, we saw what happens when two full-time royals in a streamlined organization are unexpectedly absent. The many appointments and obligations suddenly have to be shouldered by just a few shoulders. Simply cancelling everything is not an option, because the motto once formulated by Queen Elizabeth II still applies: “We have to be seen so that people believe in us.” You simply need a certain number of family members to keep the royal system running and to make the monarchy visible. On the other hand, you have to signal to the taxpayer that only those who work for it will get money. It is a real dilemma.
“The king is the Dane with the fewest rights,” says a rather sobering passage in your film. In contrast, the Cinderella story with the lost shoe at Crown Prince Christian’s 18th birthday party feeds the girl’s dream of living in a royal family. What is truer?
Melchior: Of course it is a privileged life. You have so many opportunities. And Queen Mary has used her position to campaign for important social and health issues. If you are prepared to do something, it is a great platform. Queen Silvia of Sweden and the Princess of Wales are also shining examples. Meghan is unfortunately the opposite example. She was not prepared to make concessions and the royal family was not able to integrate her. She could have achieved a lot. She is actually combative and wants to make a difference and you can also be a royal activist. You just have to play by the rules of the royal family. Mary has mastered this perfectly.
Who found 18-year-old Anne-Sofie Tornso Olsen, who left her golden slipper in the castle?
Melchior: A Danish journalist who Shoe on the royal family’s Instagram post with the shoes of all arriving party guests in the television broadcast of the celebrations.