Ask anyone in Australia who King Frederik X is and they’ll almost instantly be able to give you an accurate description.
Indeed, the Danish King has been front and centre in the royal-watching circle Down Under – not least because he married an Aussie himself, the formidable Queen Mary of Denmark.
But like all royals, we tend to focus on the right now as opposed to looking back on old times – especially given how much he and Mary are achieving these days as they prepare to step up as ruling Monarch.
Which brings us to here. The King is now 55 years old, with four children and a life that we absolutely love to follow.
But his youth was just as colourful, as it turns out – and if you needed the reminder, you simply need only look at the pictures to tell the whole story.
We decided to put the former Crown Prince’s best photos from his younger years in one place – the perfect reminder of how far he’s come, and what we have to look forward to as he grows old with his admirable wife.
Theses days he’s 55 and sporting silver in his hair, but you can keep scrolling for a good old-fashioned (but not that old fashioned) retrospective – starting with the glorious candid photo below, which was released in time for Frederik’s 50th birthday back in May 2018.
A taste of what’s to come!
1970
Born on May 26, 1968, Crown Prince Frederik was the eldest child of parents Queen Margrethe II of Denmark and Henri de Laborde de Monpezat. His younger brother, Prince Joachim of Denmark was just as cute as the adorable toddler – pictured here in 1970.
1984
The family of four made for quite the photogenic bunch!
1992
The Prince (pictured far left here in 1992) enjoyed a fine education, studying political science at Aarhus University and even spending a year at Harvard University.
1995
Destined as his country’s future King, the young Prince always put his best face forward when it came to formal events.
1998
He was always his mother’s son – charismatic and ever curious, the royal completed his masters degree (with an above average result!), becoming the first royal to do so.
1999
The Crown Prince always drew eyeballs wherever he went. Pictured here in 1999 with neighbouring royal Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, the world revelled in the candid European royal encounter.
1999 2
He wasn’t afraid of the rugged look, either!
2001
A sight for sore eyes, Frederik and Victoria’s friendship goes way back. Here in 2001, the pair shared a moment at a glamorous ball.
2002
If a sweater vest didn’t belong in your early 2000s wardrobe, you weren’t doing it right… well, at least Frederik probably thought so!
2002
Frederik met his match in Tasmanian beauty Mary Donaldson. They crossed paths at a Sydney bar during the 2000 Olympics, and the rest, as they say, was history.
2004
Shortly before their own nuptials in 2004, the pair were pictured together attending Mary’s sister Patricia’s wedding.
Princess Mary and Prince Frederik share a dance
2004 wedding
The handsome Prince and the stunning Princess were a match made in heaven. Denmark really did do well with these two!
2020
In 2020, the Danish Palace shared this striking image of Frederik for his 52nd birthday on May 26. All we can add is simple: Long live the turtle neck.
2021
Happy birthday indeed! For his 2021 birthday portrait, the father-of-four cut a dapper figure in a stylish suit.
Princess Mary and Prince Frederik ring in 13 years of wedded bliss
2023
Though his youthful years may be a thing of the past, Prince Frederik is definitely still one of the most handsome royals in our books!
