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Queen Margrethe II ruled Denmark for 52 years before making the surprising announcement during her New Year's Eve speech in 2023 that she would abdicate. On January 14, 2024, her eldest son became King Frederik X, marking a new chapter for the Danish monarchy. But who comes next in the line of succession? Let's meet the royal heirs!
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Queen Margrethe II and her late husband, Prince Henrik, had two sons: Frederik, born in 1968, and Joachim, born in 1969. After reigning since January 1972, Margrethe stepped down in 2024, becoming the first Danish monarch to voluntarily abdicate in nearly 900 years.
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King Frederik X ascended the Danish throne on January 14, 2024, following his mother's abdication. He and Queen Mary, who married in 2004, have four children together. Their eldest son is now the heir to the throne.
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1. Crown Prince Christian
Born on October 15, 2005, Crown Prince Christian is the eldest child of King Frederik and Queen Mary. He became first in line to the Danish throne when his father became king in 2024. As the future monarch, he is expected to play an increasingly important role in the royal family.
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2. Princess Isabella
Princess Isabella, born on April 21, 2007, is second in line to the throne. She graduated from high school in June 2026 and began her military service with Denmark's Guard Hussar Regiment in August of the same year.
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3. Prince Vincent and 4. Princess Josephine
Twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine were born on January 8, 2011. Vincent is third in line to the throne, followed by his younger twin sister, Josephine, in fourth place. Both celebrated their 15th birthdays in January 2026.
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5. Prince Joachim
Prince Joachim, King Frederik's younger brother, is fifth in line to the throne. Born on June 7, 1969, he has four children from his two marriages. His children follow him in the royal line of succession.
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6. Count Nikolai of Monpezat
Born on August 28, 1999, Nikolai is Prince Joachim's eldest son from his first marriage to Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg. He is sixth in line to the throne. Since January 2023, he has held the title Count of Monpezat rather than Prince of Denmark.
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7. Count Felix of Monpezat
Count Felix, born on July 22, 2002, is Prince Joachim's second son with Alexandra. He is seventh in line to the Danish throne. Like his older brother, Felix received the title Count of Monpezat following Queen Margrethe's decision to change her grandchildren's royal titles.
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8. Count Henrik of MonpezatPrince Joachim married his second wife, Princess Marie, in 2008. Their eldest child, Count Henrik, was born on May 4, 2009, and is eighth in line to the throne. He previously held the title Prince Henrik of Denmark.
Queen Margrethe II reigned as Queen of the Kingdom of Denmark since January 1972. Surprisingly, in her New Year's Eve speech on December 31, 2023, she announced her intention to step down by January 14, 2024 - when her son, Crown Prince Frederik, is now king.
Find out who follows him and what the Danish line of succession to the throne looks like here.