The defining photos of the Danish royal family in 2024
2024 is proving a momentous year for the Danish royal family.
Queen Margrethe ended 2023 with a bang, declaring in her New Year's Eve address that she would be abdicating the throne, with heir Crown Prince Frederik to become King – with Australian-born wife Mary by his side as Queen.
Two weeks later, their life as King Frederik and Queen Mary began, with their four children by their side.
Here, 9honey is bringing you all the biggest moments, in photos, of this exciting time in Danish – and royal – history.
Performance of The Nutcracker, December
Queen Mary and King Frederik attended a performance of The Nutcracker at Tivoli, Copenhagen's iconic amusement park, on December 1 to mark the beginning of the festive season.
Each year Queen Margrethe II designs sets and costumes for the ballet and the royal family attends opening night in celebration of the occasion.
This year, the King and Queen were joined by their eldest daughter Princess Josephine, and twins Prince Vincent and Princess Isabella.
Crown Prince Christian is due to return from eastern Africa in early December.
Royal fashion watchers pointed out that both Mary's daughters were wearing items borrowed from mum's wardrobe: Isabella had Mary's leopard clutch while Josephine wore a golden ring with a green stone.
Crown Prince Christian in Africa, November
Crown Prince Christian shared several photos from East Africa, days before returning to Denmark for Christmas.
In a message on social media the 19-year-old said of his three-month stay: "Everyday life down here is something completely different than at home.
"The food, the culture, the climate, the wildlife, the tasks and the people make it an experience I will never forget.
"I'm both supervising and registering animals in the bush and taking care of the office on the farm," he continued. "As the video shows, I get really close to the wild animals when they have their GPS collars replaced during anesthesia."
The prince will join his family for Christmas at Marselisborg Castle, in Aarhus, as per Danish royal tradition.
Queen Mary announces podcast, November
Queen Mary announced a three-part podcast titled Lonely Youth which will be released through the Mary Foundation.
In a personal message to announce the podcast Queen Mary said the episodes would give an "insight into the nuances of loneliness by mixing professionalism and personal stories from young people".
Queen Mary unveils statue of Countess Danner, November
Queen Mary attended the unveiling of a four-metre high bronze sculpture of Countess Danner, created by artist Kirsten Justesen, in Copenhagen on November 25.
Countess Danner – born Louise Christine Rasmussen – married Frederik VII in 1850.
It was a morganatic marriage, meaning Danner was never given the title of Queen of Denmark due to her status as a commoner.
When the King died, Countess Danner used her position and newfound fortune to help vulnerable women and children.
There is now an organisation - Danner - which helps modern-day women and children exposed to violence.
For the unveiling, Queen Mary wore a brooch with citrines and pearls which is part of a parure (or 'set') previously owned by the countess. It is now on permanent display at Rosenborg Castle, along with the rest of the Crown Jewels.
Queen Mary and King Frederik visit Germany, October
King Frederik and Queen Mary travelled to Berlin and Schleswig-Holstein, on the Denmark-Germany border, for an accession-related tour on Monday and Tuesday.
While in Kiel, the King and Queen met with crowds along the quay to the Reventloubrücke ferry pier.
Mary stopped to take a selfie with one young fan and held the little girl's hand while taking the photo.
Queen Mary and King Frederik visit Germany, October
At times, Queen Mary took centre stage during the meet and greet – her popularity coming close to overshadowing her husband, King Frederik X.
Queen Mary and King Frederik visit Germany, October
In the evening of the couple's first day in Germany, they attended an official dinner inside the Bellevue Palace in Berlin hosted by the president.
Queen Mary looked resplendent in a red Carolina Herrera gown.
The Queen accessorised with her Dulong earrings worn when she married Frederik in 2004, which she has worn many times since the royal wedding.
On Mary's wrist was a pearl bracelet which bore the portrait of Queen Josefina of Sweden-Norway, who was Queen from 1844 to 1859.
Queen Mary and King Frederik visit Germany, October
Within hours of arriving in Berlin, King Frederik and Queen Mary toured the iconic Reichstag and posed for photos on the roof overlooking the capital's cityscape.
For the morning events, Queen Mary wore a powder blue Jesper Høvring coat and matching headband and an Emilia Wickstead skirt.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Christian
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Christian of Denmark is celebrating his 19th birthday.
On October 15, the official Instagram account for the Danish royals shared a post to commemorate the occasion.
"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince turns 19 today," the caption began.
"The Crown Prince is currently staying in East Africa and is therefore celebrating the day under warmer skies," it concluded.
Prince Christian, heir to the Danish throne, is currently completing a long-standing royal tradition.
He is undertaking a three-month stint in Africa to learn "practical and administrative tasks" on two farms to give the future king "an insight into local nature protection".
The royal, who graduated from high school in July, is expected to return to Denmark sometime in December.
Both his father, King Frederik, and grandmother, Queen Margrethe, underwent similar experiences before their reigns.
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