This article is about the history and function of the Danish monarchy as an institution. For the Kingdom of Denmark itself, see Danish Realm.
"Queen of Denmark" redirects here. For other uses, see Queen of Denmark (disambiguation).
"King of Denmark" redirects here. For other uses, see Kongen af Danmark.
King of Denmark
Konge af Danmark
Royal coat of arms of Denmark
Incumbent
Frederik X since 14 January 2024
Details
Style
His Majesty
Heir apparent
Christian, Crown Prince of Denmark
First monarch
Ongendus (first king known by name)
Formation
710; 1314 years ago (710)
Residences
See list
Website
www.kongehuset.dk/en
Politics of Denmark
Constitution
Fundamental laws
Act of Succession
Freedom of Speech
Freedom of the Press
The Crown
Monarch
Frederik X
Crown Prince
Christian
Royal family
Privy Council
Purveyors to the Royal Court
The unity of the Realm
Denmark proper
Faroe Islands
Greenland
Executive
Government
Frederiksen II
Prime Minister (list)
Mette Frederiksen
Government Offices
Ministries
High Commissioners
Faroe Islands
Greenland
Legislature
Folketinget(parliament)
Speaker: Søren Gade
Members
Judiciary
Supreme Court of Denmark
Courts of Denmark
Court of the Faroe Islands
Courts of Greenland
Judicial review
Elections
Political parties:
Denmark
Faroe Islands
Greenland
Recent elections
Parliamentary: 2022
2019
2015
European: 2019
2014
2009
Referendums
Administrative divisions
Denmark proper
Regions
Municipalities
Constituencies
Faroe Islands
Subdivisions of the Faroe Islands
Greenland
Subdivisions of Greenland
Foreign relations
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Minister: Lars Løkke Rasmussen
Diplomatic missions of / to the Kingdom
Nationality law
Passport
Visa requirements
Visa policy
Arctic policy of the Kingdom
Politics of the European Union
Arctic policy of the EU
Denmark and the EU
Faroe Islands and the EU
Greenland and the EU
Related topics
Arctic Command
Defence Command
Politics of the Faroe Islands
Politics of Greenland
Unitarism
Home rule
Self rule
Denmark portal
Other countries
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The monarchy of Denmark is a constitutional institution and a historic office of the Kingdom of Denmark. The Kingdom includes Denmark proper and the autonomous territories of the Faroe Islands and Greenland. The Kingdom of Denmark was already consolidated in the 8th century, whose rulers are consistently referred to in Frankish sources (and in some late Frisian sources) as "kings" (reges). Under the rule of King Gudfred in 804 the Kingdom may have included all the major provinces of medieval Denmark.[1]
The current unified Kingdom of Denmark was founded or re-united by the Viking kings Gorm the Old and Harald Bluetooth in the 10th century. Originally an elective monarchy, it became hereditary only in the 17th century during the reign of Frederick III. A decisive transition to a constitutional monarchy occurred in 1849 with the writing of the first democratic constitution, replacing the vast majority of the old absolutist constitution. The current Royal House is a branch of the ducal House of Glücksburg, originally from Schleswig-Holstein in modern-day Germany, the House of Glücksburg itself being a collateral branch of the House of Oldenburg. The House of Glücksburg also produced the monarchs of Norway, of the United Kingdom and the former monarch of Greece in the direct male line.
The Danish monarchy is constitutional and as such, the role of the monarch is defined and limited by the Constitution of Denmark. According to the constitution, the ultimate executive authority over the government of Denmark is still by and through the monarch's royal reserve powers; in practice these powers are only used according to laws enacted in Parliament or within the constraints of convention. The monarch is, in practice, limited to non-partisan functions such as bestowing honours and formally appointing the prime minister. The monarch and his or her immediate family undertake various official, ceremonial, diplomatic and representational duties.
King Frederik X ascended the throne following the abdication of his mother, Queen Margrethe II, on 14 January 2024. Danish regnal names have traditionally (since 1513) alternated between "Frederik" (previously anglicised to Frederick) and "Christian". Accordingly, Frederik's heir apparent is Crown Prince Christian.
^Berend, Nora (22 November 2007). Christianization and the Rise of Christian Monarchy: Scandinavia, Central Europe and Rus' c.900–1200. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781139468367 – via Google Books.
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