Australians in Denmark prepare to celebrate ‘modern, woke’ royals
Australians are preparing to celebrate the accession of Frederik and Mary, who will be crowned in Denmark within hours | CORONATION TIMINGS.
Australians living in Denmark are preparing to celebrate the accession of Frederik and Mary, having had close relations with them over the past two decades, and a small party is planned shortly after the proclamation in central Copenhagen.
Denmark Aussies are hoping Frederik and Mary will continue their productive trade work after being crowned King and Queen of Denmark in Copenhagen in the early hours of Monday, Australian time.
The royals have been a power couple for Danish trade relations over the past two decades, says Stewart Mullin of the Global Wind Energy Council.
As Copenhagen gets ready for the coronation, police warned there will be huge crowds for the abdication and proclamation with train and bus companies reporting services are sold out, even though extra services and longer trains have been introduced.
On Saturday there was a security scare when royal guards rushed inside at the royal residence at Amalienborg Palace amid reports of a gas leak. Authorities later declared the area safe.
Mr Mullin, an Australian who has lived in Denmark for 25 years, works in the wind industry and has been alongside Frederik at various events such as trade delegations to South Korea and France and most recently the COP28 in Dubai.
He said Frederik has often concentrated on promoting Danish eco-credentials, while Mary has focused upon the health care sector. Her work has been hailed in the human rights field and with the LGBTQ+ community.
Mr Mullin first met the new King before the royals’ 2004 fairytale wedding at an Australian embassy function and recounts how Frederik came and spoke to a gathering of Australians, who were all drinking beer out of cans.
Mr Mullin, 55 said: “An aide rushed up with a glass, but Prince Frederik said ‘no, no’ and he insisted on drinking from the can and he felt down to earth from that first moment. He is very social and asks a lot of questions, and you feel like he is engaged and is not just there because someone told him to turn up.”
While Mary was more reserved when she first came to Denmark, learning the language, her warmth and genuineness struck an immediate chord with the Danes.
“Before I left Australia I was a Republican, but I have seen how the royal family can act as a real force, and I am a bit of a convert,” Mr Mullin said.
Denmark and Australia signed a new trade agreement last year with commitments to work together on green and renewable energy sources. Mr Mullin said this was a country to country relationship – with two way trade worth more than $2 billion a year – born directly from the royal family.
“Mary is a Danish citizen but people still see part of her representing Australia. When people here find out I am Australian that connection to Mary is immediate. Frederik and Mary’s relationship is a symbol of the Australian-Danish connection.’’
He anticipated that the diplomatic duties as the head of state of Denmark may cut into their trade work, but not the level of their commitment for causes.
“The Danes use what they have got, and that is a really strong royal family to promote and open doors for Danish companies around the globe,” he said, adding “it is impressive to see them work. They are intensely passionate about their job, I would imagine as King and Queen the level of engagement helping companies may tone down, but it won’t weaken their passion”.
Mr Mullin is the projectionist for his local community in Odder, south of Aarhus, and for the first time they will be showing a cultural event – the proclamation of the new King and Queen – live in the town hall.
“We have never done anything like this live before,’’ he said, “but this is the coronation, and everyone is very excited.’’
Twenty four year Jakob Herø Hansen grew up in Hobart and moved to Denmark, the home of his father six years ago and also believed Mary, 51, had brought Australia and Denmark closer to gather. He described the are King and Queen as being “a bit woke” and predicted some changes in how the royals moved along with progressive Danish society.
As well as doing “normal” things like sending their children to public schools, riding around the Danish capital on bicycles, Mr Hansen said the new royal couple would also reflect Danish society with their advocating for “different” things.
“They are participating in certain organisations and charities that are different, they are not scared to participate and meet with people in a calm and professional manner,’’ he said.
The Danish historian Sebastian Olden-Jørgensen described the couple as “modern, woke, lovers of pop music, modern art and sports” and Mary in particular has encouraged rights for gays and more recently for trans people.
Three years ago at the Copenhagen pride event Mary said: “I feel it on journeys where I am met with admiration all over the world because we in Denmark dare to take the lead in securing rights for all people regardless of gender, gender identity and sexuality.”
Two years ago she stressed: “I fundamentally believe that we all have the right to be who we are regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation.”
The Australian Embassy in Copenhagen says it actively promotes Australia’s industries, sports credentials, culture and progress towards gender equality and LGBTI rights.
“Copenhagen Pride – Denmark’s largest annual Human Rights festival – receives strong support from the embassy each year,’’ the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website says.
Coronation Day timings
(All timings AEDT)
Jan 14:11.25pm: The Crown Prince couple and HRH Prince Christian drive by car from Frederik VIII’s Palace, Amalienborg to Christiansborg Castle.
11.37pm: HM The Queen travels in the carriage from Christian IX’s Palace, Amalienborg to Christiansborg Castle, escorted by the Horse Squadron of the Guardhussar Regiment.
12.00pm: Council of State at Christiansborg Castl. HM The Queen, HRH the Crown Prince and HRH Prince Christian participate together with the government and the Cabinet Secretary in the Council of State.
The change of throne takes place during the meeting of the Council of State at the moment when the Queen has signed a declaration of her abdication.
Jan 15:12.15am: HM Queen Margrethe’s departure from Christiansborg Castle to Christian IX’s Palace, Amalienborg.
12.30am: The royal couple hold a cure for special guests at Christiansborg Castle
1.00am: Proclamation from the balcony of Christiansborg Castle. HM King Frederik 10 steps out onto the balcony at Christiansborg Castle, after which the Prime Minister proclaims the change of throne.
The king speaks and concludes with the election language.
1.10am: After the proclamation, a salute of honour is fired with 3 x 27 shots from Battery Sixtus on Holmen, Copenhagen.
The Royal Flag is taken down at Christian IX’s Palace and raised at Frederik VIII’s Palace, Amalienborg.
1.30am: The royal couple rides in the carriage escorted by the Guardhussar Regiment’s Horse Squadron from Christiansborg Castle to Frederik VIII’s Palace, Amalienborg.
5.00am: Transfer of the royal banners from Christian IX’s Palace to Frederik VIII’s Palace, Amalienborg.
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