Queen Mary’s son, Prince Christian of Denmark, spends his gap year volunteering in Africa
Queen Mary’s son Crown Prince Christian has shared rare public comments about the incredible work he’s been doing on his gap year and his plans for the future. See the photos.
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Crown Prince Christian of Denmark has spent his gap year volunteering on nature conservation projects in East Africa – including getting up close and personal with wild lions.
The 19-year-old son of Tasmanian born Queen Mary of Denmark graduated high school in June and will begin working as a military officer at the Guardhouse Regiment in the Danish town of Slagelse in February.
Christian, who will one day inherit the throne from his father King Frederik, gave a rare insight to his life, sharing a post of the official royal Instagram page.
“I have been in East Africa for almost three months. Everyday life down here is something completely different than at home,” the Crown Prince wrote.
“The food, the culture, the climate, the wildlife, the tasks and the people make it an experience I will never forget.
“In recent weeks I’ve been working with nature preservation. I’m both supervising and registering animals in the bush and taking care of the office on the farm.”
The strapping young prince also shared an jaw-dropping video of him replacing the GPS tracking collar on a fully grown wild male lion.
“As the video shows, I get really close to the wild animals when they have their gps collars replaced during anaesthesia,” Christian explained.
As well as working with wildlife, Crown Prince Christian also got his hands dirty building new accommodation for the conservation staff.
But it hasn't been all work and no play for the prince.
He had plenty of opportunity to hone his soccer skills with some spirited matches against his new friends in Africa.
Crown Christian said he is looking forward to continuing his family’s proud legacy of military service but first he’s got something else to attend to – going home to our Mary for Christmas.
“But now I’m also starting to look forward to returning home to the family in Denmark and celebrating Christmas in a few weeks,” Christian signed off his post.
HIDDEN DETAIL IN NEW PORTRAITS OF QUEEN MARY
Hawk-eyed royal watchers have picked up on a ‘hidden’ detail in Queen Mary of Denmark’s latest portrait.
The understated portrait photos of the Australian-born Danish queen and her husband King Frederik were taken at the palace in Amalienborg, the couple’s official residence in Copenhagen.
Queen Mary is seen posing in an elegant boat-neck cream shift dress, which she accessorised with large Belle Époque style diamond earrings, purchased for her 50th birthday, and gazing at the camera with assurance. Her hair and makeup are minimally styled.
And there is one tiny detail that may have been overlooked.
Taken by longtime Danish royal photographer Steen Evald, the images show the couple in formal clothes rather than full royal regalia.
Barely visible in the photos, Mary wears a very delicate gold chain around her neck, sporting a tiny initial ‘F’ in what is believed to be a tender gesture towards her husband, Frederik.
Mary has worn the necklace frequently over the past few months and royal watchers have interpreted it as a show of strength for their marriage.
In the BT podcast ‘The Royal House behind the scenes’, royal expert Emma Paaske said: “[Queen Mary] has the necklace with an F in it, so it is very clear that her loyalty lies with Frederik.”
The choice of jewellery highlights the royal couple’s strong relationship 12 months after the publication of photos of King Frederik and a female friend in Spain sparked rumours.
Hello! magazine says Mary has worn the intricate Halberstadt white gold and diamond necklace since November 2022.
QUEEN MARY LAUNCHES ‘LONELINESS’ PODCAST
It came as Queen Mary of Denmark revealed her latest project, a new podcast about the loneliness epidemic affecting young people. The Australian-born royal posted a photograph of herself listening to the new podcast as she announced the series on Instagram.
Wearing a black turtleneck jumper and stylish glasses, Queen Mary was her usual elegant self.
In her statement, she talked about her love for podcasts as a form of entertainment as well as education.
The Tasmanian-born monarch also highlighted the “heavy numbers” of a recent study that showed 73 per cent of 16 to 19 year olds in Denmark have experienced loneliness.
The new podcast will incorporate expert commentary along with the personal stories of young people dealing with feelings of isolation and exclusion
Queen Mary’s post, when translated from Danish to English, said: “I’m extremely excited to be listening to a podcast. I often listen when I have to move from one place to another.
“Some days I’m in the mood for entertainment and other days I use it to gain knowledge and new input.
“That is why I am also proud that we have now thrown ourselves into making a podcast in the Mary Foundation.
“Our first podcast is called ‘Lonely youth’, and through three short episodes it gives a thorough insight into the nuances of loneliness by mixing expertise and personal stories from young people.
“We know from the study ‘Loneliness in Denmark’ that 73 per cent of 16-19 year olds experience loneliness, whether they are alone or with others. At the same time, 17 per cent of 16-24 year olds feel very lonely.
“These are heavy numbers that we need to do something about. A podcast is not something we have experience much with yet in the Mary Foundation, but I hope you will listen and feel welcome.”
The Mary Foundation, established in 2007, aims to make society more inclusive and help those who find themselves being marginalised.
The foundation was created thanks to a 1.1 million kroner national gift raised in Denmark and Greenland and donated in honour of Queen Mary and King Frederik’s wedding in 2004.
Queen Mary is following in the footsteps of British royals including Meghan Markle, Queen Camilla and Princess Eugenie, who have all launched podcasts.
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