King Frederik + Queen Mary
Bitter certainty! They resolutely ignore this tradition
© Andrew Milligan – WPA Pool / Getty Images
Queen Mary and King Frederik bring a breath of fresh air to the court – and ensure that their people not only have to get used to all sorts of changes, but also have to say goodbye to cherished traditions. Now it is known why the annual torchlight parade did not take place in 2024.
There has been a lot going on at the Danish royal court since the change of throne in mid-January. King Frederik, 55, and Queen Mary, 52, are settling into their new roles after Queen Margrethe’s, 83, abdication and surprising the people with one or two adjustments or innovations. However, a recent change in the royals’ schedule is causing trouble – especially because of the way the new royal couple communicated.
King Frederik and Queen Mary could not be reached by organizers
Every year the Danes look forward to the arrival of spring at Fredensborg Castle. According to the announcement, the torchlight procession, which has welcomed Queen Margrethe to the castle every year since 1988, was to take place here again this year on April 2nd. But the date for the beautiful tradition, in which citizens of all ages come to the palace courtyard to meet the monarch and sing for her, was canceled at short notice. On the website of the local scouts, who usually carry the torches in the parade, it can be read that the event planned for April 2, 2024 has been postponed for the time being – although it is not clear when. “Torchlight parade postponed. New date not yet known,” says the “Det dankse Spejderkorps” website.
Now, a few days after April 2nd, it is clear: the parade will no longer take place this year. According to Dana Press, the Fredensborg City Citizens’ Association writes on its website: “As it stands now, there will NOT be a torchlight procession to Fredensborg Castle this year.” And further: “After the change of throne, there is still no information from the royal family as to whether this tradition will be continued.” According to the portal, “the organizers have not received any feedback on this from the Danish royal court.”
Media reveals where the royals spent their Easter vacation
The palace itself has not yet commented on the torchlight procession. The official calendar of the royal family does not contain any public events from March 23rd to April 2nd. Danish media revealed that Frederik and Mary treated themselves to an Easter holiday abroad with their children. Now, on April 4th, it will be known where the family was traveling: The parents drove with the twins Princess Josephine and Prince Vincent, both 13, to the Verbier ski resort in Switzerland. The family owns a chalet there. “Se og Hør” also reports that Prince Christian, 18, and Princess Isabella, 16, went on a ski trip to Val D’Isère in France with schoolmates.
Sources used: billedbladet.dk, fredensborggruppe.dk, seoghoer.dk, Dana Press