5 Future European Monarchs Pose for Epic Photo at Prince Christian of Denmark’s 18th Birthday Gala

Prince Christian of Denmark’s glamorous birthday party doubled as a mini royal gathering.

The eldest son of Crown Prince Frederik and Princess Mary turned 18 on Sunday and was celebrated with a changing of the guard at Amalienborg Castle in Copenhagen, followed by a gala at Christiansborg Palace. Authorities from around the world traveled to Denmark for the evening event, where five future European monarchs posed for a group photo.

Prince Christian was all smiles next to Sweden’s Princess Estelle, 11, Norway’s Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 19, Netherlands’ Princess Catharine-Amalia, 19, and Belgium’s Princess Elisabeth, 21, in a snap shared by the Danish royal family on Instagram. Like Prince Christian, all the princesses follow their parents – Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and King Philippe of Belgium – in the line of succession as their first-born children.

The birthday gala came with a glamorous dress code, with Prince Christian completing his white tie ensemble with his new Order of the Elephant. The Danish royal house has revealed that Queen Margrethe recently privately awarded her grandson Denmark’s highest knighthood. Meanwhile, Ingrid Alexandra, Catharina-Amalia and Elisabeth dazzled in tiaras and tributes of their own, while Estelle – still too young for a tiara – wore a cute bow in her hair.

Denmark’s Prince Christian’s 18th birthday celebrated with royalty from around the world (and tiaras!)

Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, parents of Princess Ingrid Alexandra, were also on the list of guests for the birthday ceremony. Princess Estelle of Sweden similarly attended along with her parents, Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel.

Scandinavian royal families are extremely close both in their royal duties and in their personal relationships. It is not uncommon to see the Swedish, Norwegian and Danish royal families vacationing together or attending important events such as weddings, funerals and christenings. They are also often godparents to their children — in fact, Princess Victoria, Prince Haakon and Princess Mette-Marit are all godparents to Prince Christian!

Princess Ingrid Alexandra’s 18th birthday gala in June 2022 LISA ASERUD/NTB/AFP via Getty

The picture resembled a similar shot taken at Princess Ingrid Alexandra’s birthday gala in June 2022. Princess Ingrid Alexandra sat in the middle of Princess Estelle, Princess Catharine-Amalia and Princess Elisabeth, with 3-year-old Prince Charles of Luxembourg sitting adorably in a chair next to her. Even at his young age, Prince Charles is second in line to the Luxembourg throne behind his father, Prince Guillaume, making all five members of the royal family destined to rule one day.

Another royal gathering earlier this year also called for a group photo. When Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan married Rajwa Alseif in June, the Hashemite Royal Court released an instantly iconic video from the evening’s banquet, in which Kate Middleton and Prince William posed with the newlyweds and other royals from around the world, including Danes, Swedes, Norwegian, Dutch and Belgian kings.

Gala celebration of the 18th birthday of the Danish Prince Christian.

MADS CLAUS RASMUSSEN/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty

Meet the Danish Royal Family: Your Guide to the Family Tree of the Danish Monarchy

The Danish royal court got a fun peek at Prince Christian’s Sunday evening party on social media, revealing that the musical performance was a surprise arranged by Queen Margrethe!

“The dance floor got moving when Benjamin Hav & Familien held a concert after the gala event 🎶🎸,” courtiers captioned the clip, where Christian dances and claps next to his family next to the stage. The prince’s 18th birthday was also a big event night for his parents Crown Prince Frederik and Princess Mary, plus younger siblings Princess Isabella, 16, and 12-year-old twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine.

“The concert was a surprise for Her Majesty the Queen for all the guests,” the headline continues.

The court recreated the magic on Instagram on Monday, sharing shots from the dance floor and Prince Christian’s words of thanks to his guests from the stage at the end of the evening.

“It was an absolutely unforgettable evening and I really appreciate that you all came from far and wide to celebrate me!” he was cited by the Danish royal court.

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Crown Prince Frederik, Prince Christian and Princess Mary at Christian’s 18th birthday.

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Prince Christian gave his first official speech earlier that evening, where he shouted out his peers in the crowd and touched on the challenges of starting a new school last year

Prince Christian’s birthday gala also welcomed representatives of some Danish youth organizations and young people “who have distinguished themselves in the world of sports, art and culture”. Expanding the guest list, the palace invited around 200 young people from the Danish Commonwealth, allowing each of the Danish municipalities, Greenland and the Faroe Islands to invite two 18-year-olds to the party.

“I would like to thank everyone who helped me celebrate. And to you who are here and to all of you who sent greetings and gifts. Today I will never forget. But maybe tomorrow I will remember it as less challenging,” he said in his address, translated.

“I have to find my way, even if it leads to a familiar place. I have roots in many places around the world and enjoy traveling. But home will always be here. Because I love my country,” concluded the future king.

Queen Margrethe, Prince Christian and Prince Frederik from the balcony of Frederik VIII at Amalienborg Castle in Copenhagen.

MADS CLAUS RASMUSSEN/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty

In an interesting twist, Christian’s birthday celebration continues next month. On November 14, the royal will attend a meeting of the Council of State (which is made up of government ministers) and declare that he wants to respect the Danish constitution.

“Prince Christian will then be able to be appointed head of state. “Prince Christian will not get a seat in the Council of State until there is a change in the throne,” the Danish royal house said of the important step.

Over the summer, the Danish royal house announced that Prince Christian would not take the state funds he is legally entitled to when he turns 18. Instead, she will continue to focus on her studies, and the issue will be revisited when she turns 21 or if there is a change in the throne.

“His Royal Highness Prince Christian turns 18 on October 15, 2023,” the courtiers said in a statement on Instagram, releasing the prince’s code. “Prince Christian’s main priority in the coming year will be the completion of the prince’s upper secondary education. Following this, the Royal Palace will provide information on Prince Christian’s further youth and education courses when the time is right.”

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Source: HIS Education