This January 1, King Frederik X and Queen Mary were already back at work for their first engagement of the year. Danish sovereigns kicked off the festivities of the New Year receptions, welcoming members of the government and the country's highest political representatives to Amalienborg. Crown Prince Christian, former Queen Margrethe and Prince Joachim were present, all adorned with their Order of the Elephant necklace.
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Frederik X and Mary of Denmark host their first New Year's reception as sovereigns
Since the 18th century, Danish rulers have had a tradition of organizing public New Year's receptions, also called “tables” or “New Year's cures”. During the first week of the new year, several receptions are organized to greet and extend greetings to the highest dignitaries of the country, in different institutional sectors. For several decades, due to the multiplicity of institutions, three distinct receptions have been organized. King Frederik
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King Frederik X respected the tradition of his ancestors by organizing his first New Year reception on January 1st. King Frederik Another reception will take place on January 7. In 2026, an additional date will be added to the program because the royal couple also wishes to include mayors and local elected officials in their greetings.
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Surprise return of Prince Joachim and first participation of Crown Prince Christian
This Wednesday, King Frederik As her mother-in-law did until last year, Queen Mary was responsible for giving her instructions for the floral decoration. This year, Queen Mary wanted white flowers and simple but elegant decoration. The bouquets which garnished the tables set with a service from the 1830s, were composed of gypsophila, white orchids, eucalyptus and climbing jasmine from Fredensborg Castle.
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Crown Prince Christian, 19, accompanied his parents to this reception for the first time. This is the first time that the young man has attended such a representational event as heir to the throne, a title he obtained almost a year ago when his father ascended the throne. Also present was former Queen Margrethe, 84, who presided over these ceremonies for more than half a century.
Prince Joachim, 55, brother of King Frederik X, created a surprise by attending the reception with his wife, Princess Marie, 48. The princely couple lives in Washington, which makes visits from Prince Joachim and his family relatively rare. Finally, Princess Benedikte, faithful sister of Queen Margrethe, was also present at the event.
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The tiaras and velvet dresses of queens and princesses at the New Year's cure
Queen Mary, her sister-in-law Margrethe, her sister-in-law Marie and her husband's aunt Benedikte all wore velvet dresses. A dress code visibly also respected by Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. The two queens and the two princesses also each wore a tiara that they love.
Queen Mary wore the emerald tiara, a piece of jewelry reserved only for Danish queens, a choice that highlights her new status. Queen Margrethe wore the egret floral tiara, Princess Marie wore Princess Dagmar's floral tiara and Princess Benedikte wore her usual pointed tiara from the family of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg.
All members of the royal family wore the collar of the Order of the Elephant. January 1 is the feast day of this order whose current statutes were created in 1693 by King Christian V. The order was restored in 1580 by King Frederick II after its brief disappearance in 1536 following the Protestant reform . The order was initially established in 1460 by the first king of the Oldenburg dynasty. Members of the royal family can become knights of the Order of the Elephant when they turn 18, and the sovereign's children automatically become knights when he ascends the throne.
On the dinner menu, which followed the greetings, Danish chicken soup with fresh vegetables and chicken meatballs. Next comes baked celery with spinach puree, lemon jelly, artichoke chips and sprouts picked from Fredensborg's garden. The main course was a crown of veal Wellington with herbs, Danish truffles, baked onions and potato with mushrooms and port and prune sauce. For dessert: a champagne mousse made with pistachio, vanilla cheese and marinated berries from Gråsten Castle with chocolate caramel sauce.
Nicolas Fontaine
Editor-in-chief
Nicolas Fontaine has been a designer-editor and author for numerous Belgian and French brands and media. A specialist in royal family news, Nicolas founded the site Histoires royales of which he is the editor-in-chief. [email protected]
