Future Danish King, 21, drops sad revelation about family life as a royal

King Frederik and Queen Mary are loving parents to their four children, and they share a close family bond. 

But their eldest son, Crown Prince Christian, has revealed there are also difficulties that come with growing up in the royal spotlight.

Speaking to X Factor judge Benjamin Hav on his YouTube channel on Sunday, the 21-year-old said he was always aware of his position as the future king. 

Giving one example, he said: "My parents didn't always have time to take me to school, so someone else had to do it. Then the other children came with their parents. 

"And then I had two grown men walking around me all the time," he added, referring to his bodyguards.

The Crown Prince attended nursery at Queen Louise's Kindergarten in Fredensborg, before attending a public school in Hellerup, and graduated from the Ordrup Gymnasium in 2024. After completing his studies, Christian started military training and was appointed a second lieutenant in June 2026.

The interview, filmed on the Queen Louise Bridge in Copenhagen, took place to mark Christian's 21st birthday on 15 October.

"We met and talked about everything from birds to dreams for the future," wrote Frederik X's son about the experience on the Danish Royal House's social media.

Christian's confessions in tell-all interview

"I try to look at what my father did or what my grandmother did. It's a small common thread, without me copying it completely, because then you don't become a person with your own identity," Christian confessed when Benjamin Hav asked him if he receives advice from the King and the former head of state.

Moving on to lighter topics, Queen Margrethe's grandson revealed that he goes hunting and plays golf with his father, King Frederik. 

He explained that, on Sundays, almost everyone is home and they try to have dinner together. One of his favorite dishes is sushi. 

His hobbies include going to music festivals, both with friends and with his sister, Princess Isabella.

Christian was asked about how he handles the public exposure, with hundreds of people filming him and approaching him. 

"I don't want to feel self-conscious about being myself," he said. "I don't want to think, 'No, I can't do that because there are too many people."

Crown Prince Christian's major milestone after his 21st birthday

The heir to the throne turned 21 on Thursday, October 15.

As a gift, his father awarded him the Grand Cross of the Commander of the Order of Dannebrog, the highest rank of this Danish order, which is given exclusively to members of the royal family who are already knights of the Order of the Elephant.

The gift was showcased in the three photographs released by the Royal House to congratulate him on his birthday. 

The series of snapshots showed him in full military dress uniform, proudly displaying the distinction. 

To mark his birthday, the Crown announced that Prince Christian continues to serve as a sub-lieutenant and section leader in the Royal Guard at Hovelte Barracks, and will continue to do so, as planned, until the summer of 2027. 

As previously announced, the issue of his allowance will not be addressed until the heir to the throne establishes his own household.

On Monday evening, the Crown Prince will join his parents for a state banquet inside Christiansborg Palace as Denmark hosts the president of Vietnam and his wife.