During their first official visit abroad as the new Danish monarchs, King Frederik X and Queen Mary arrived in Stockholm, Sweden. King Frederik was proclaimed king on January 14 after his mother, Queen Margrethe II abdicated. The royal couple was greeted by Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel upon their arrival in the Swedish capital before being welcomed by King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia. The visit included meetings with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kirstersson and the speaker of the Swedish Parliament, as well as a visit to a military facility.
Accompanying the Danish monarchs on their visit were members of the Danish government, including Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen and Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen. Danish monarchs traditionally travel to other Scandinavian countries first, with this visit being the first official visit abroad for King Frederik and Queen Mary. Later in the month, they will travel to Oslo to be greeted by King Harald V and Queen Sonja. This marks the first royal succession in Denmark in over half a century, following Queen Margrethe II’s voluntary abdication, making Denmark’s monarchy one of the oldest in Europe.
The close relations between the Danish and Swedish royal houses were evident during the visit, with a cannon salute and music by Sweden’s Royal Guards welcoming King Frederik and Queen Mary to Stockholm. Relations between the two royal houses have a long history, with Frederik’s grandmother, Queen Ingrid, being a Swedish princess. The visit also highlights the strong diplomatic ties between Denmark and Sweden, with meetings scheduled with key Swedish officials during the two-day visit.
The visit to Stockholm is part of a broader diplomatic tour for King Frederik and Queen Mary, following Frederik’s accession to the throne. The couple had previously made a solo visit to Poland in January, which was planned before Queen Margrethe II’s abdication on New Year’s Eve. The royal couple’s upcoming visit to Oslo further underscores the importance of maintaining close relations with neighboring Scandinavian countries, as they continue their diplomatic efforts to strengthen ties with key European allies.
As part of their official visit to Stockholm, King Frederik and Queen Mary participated in various events, including meetings with Swedish leaders and visits to important cultural and historical sites. The visit also serves to showcase the new Danish monarchs on the international stage, as they engage in diplomatic activities and further cement their position as representatives of Denmark on the global stage. The warm welcome received in Stockholm reflects the strong bond between the Danish and Swedish royal families, as well as the longstanding friendship and cooperation between the two Nordic nations.
