A Royal Tour of Denmark

For his 50th birthday then Crown Prince Frederik (now the king) decided to celebrate with one of his passions – running! The Royal Run consisted of 1km, 5km and 10km runs in 5 cities across Denmark, with the prince joining ALL of them in one day (phew). Danes across the country participated in this joyful, family-friendly event. Thanks to its popularity, it is now a yearly fixture, with the different cities hosting the event each year. Apart from Copenhagen, you’ll always be able to finish your run or walk waving at Amalienborg Palace! In Denmark in May? Join us! 

In a memorable speech to his mother, the King once said, ‘You’re into classical. I’m into rock’. If you’re also a fan of rock music or fantastic buildings (or both), get yourself down to Roskilde, just 30 minutes from Copenhagen, and immerse yourself in singing, dancing and watching all things rock. The king’s passion for music is evident, he regularly attends Denmark’s fantastic music festivals, like Roskilde festival, and even opened Ragnarock in 2016.  

It doesn’t get more royal than the spot where it all began 1,000 years ago! At this UNESCO World Heritage site, visit the spot where Denmark was born and founded, and the first king was presented. In the heart of Jutland, you can see the rune stones, Jelling Church and visit the museum to discover what life was really like for the Vikings all those years ago.  

30 kilometres (about 18.64 mi) north of Copenhagen, you will find Fredensborg Castle. Accessible by train, Fredensborg Castle is the most frequently used residence of the Danish royal family and a site for important state visits to Denmark. During the summer, you can tour parts of the palace and the beautiful gardens, but be sure to book ahead!

Further south in Jutland you will find Graasten Castle, which is the royal family's most iconic summer residence. Since the 1930s, the royal family has spent the summers in Graasten, and throughout the king's childhood, his grandmother, Queen Ingrid, made sure to gather the whole family here. Something that has provided countless childhood memories for the new king and all his cousins. The castle has a church and a beautiful garden, which is open to the public in the summer. 

You cannot tell the story about King Frederik without mentioning his equally remarkable wife, Mary. This modern Danish couple reflects the essence of hardworking parents in a contemporary family setting. Uncover the unique facet of the Danish Royal Family's modernity through Mary's dedicated support for the LGBTQ community. In a historic moment in 2021, she assumed the role of patron for the World Pride in Copenhagen, marking her as the first royal to champion a significant role in a major LGBTQ event. Her resounding message echoes the belief that "everyone has the right to be who they are."