Denmark's new Crown Prince Christian and his cheeky siblings stole the show as they celebrated their parents' King Frederik and Queen Mary's big day
Although yesterday was all about the adults as Crown Prince Frederik took over the crown to become King of Denmark, for some all eyes were on the royal children, who enjoyed themselves on the balcony of Amalienborg Palace after their first appearance in Christiansborg.
Former Queen Margrethe, 83, was shocked when she announced at the start of the new year that she would abdicate and hand the Crown to her son Frederik and his wife Maria in a statement released on social media on New Year's Eve.
It read: 'I've decided now is the right time. On January 14, 2024 – 52 years after I followed my beloved father – I will step back as Queen of Denmark. I leave the throne to my son, Crown Prince Frederik. Tonight I would like to first and foremost express my thanks. Thank you for the overwhelming warmth and support I have received all these years.'
Yesterday the ceremony took place in which the crown was transferred from Margrethe to her eldest son Frederik and his Australian-born wife Mary.
Snaps of the family on the balcony were shared during the light-hearted ceremony, showing the couple's four children, Crown Prince Christian, 18, Princess Isabella, 16, and twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, 13.
Christian – who has now been promoted to Crown Prince (pictured, right) was caught making a funny face
Crown Prince Christian (pictured, left) and Princess Isabella (pictured, right) appeared to be enjoying themselves on the balcony with their mother Mary (pictured, centre)
Princess Josephine has been described by a body language expert as the Danish equivalent of Britain's Prince Louis, thanks to her outgoing and confident personality (photo L-R: Prince Vincent, King Frederik, Princess Josephine, Crown Prince Christian at Amalienborg Palace
As all the children waved to the crowd in attendance, it was Princess Josephine, 13, who looked the most outgoing and confident.
Margrethe's abdication speech in New York
Margrethe is depicted giving her throne speech after 52 years on the throne
“I've decided this is the right time. On January 14, 2024 – 52 years after I followed my beloved father – I will step back as Queen of Denmark. I leave the throne to my son, Crown Prince Frederik.
'Tonight I would first and foremost like to express my thanks.
'Thank you for the overwhelming warmth and support I have received all these years.
'Thanks to the changing governments with whom cooperation has always been worthwhile, and thanks to Parliament, which has always placed their trust in me.
'Thank you to the many, many people who, on special occasions and in everyday life, have embraced me and my family with kind words and thoughts, turning the years into a string of pearls.
'The support and assistance I have received over the years have been crucial to the success of my task.
“I hope that the new King and Queen will be received with the same confidence and dedication as my fate. They deserve it!
'Denmark deserves it! I will end my New Year's speech in the usual way: GOD BLESS DENMARK, GOD BLESS YOU ALL.'
According to body language expert Adrianne Carter, she told FEMAIL that the female twin is the most outgoing of the youngsters.
He has even been compared to 'Prince Louis' of the Danish royal family and knows how to steal the show on the palace balcony with her funny antics.
One of the images shows Maria holding Christian's arm tightly.
According to body language expert Adrianne, this shows how important the children are to her on her big day.
She explains: 'When the children come to them they all live together.
“Mary includes her children and shows that this is her important focus.”
However, it turned out that Josephine was a little more independent.
As described by Adrianne Carter, the 13-year-old stole the show and was 'at the forefront' as the family once again stepped out to the adoring crowd at Amalienborg Palace – after their first performance in Christiansborg.
She added that her older brother was also at the forefront of attention.
Addrianne said: “Her older brother gives her a gentle touch to remind her to keep her behavior in check,” she added, commenting on Josephine's twin brother Prince Vincent.
The excited duo waved excitedly to the crowd, while their older brother Prince Christian, 18, and sister Isabella, 16, offered more subdued waves.
The newly crowned King and Queen of Denmark – Frederik and Mary – also shared a soft kiss.
Yesterday was a big moment for the now Crown Prince Christian, who became the first in line for the Danish throne on Sunday afternoon.
The 18-year-old waved proudly to the hundreds of royal spectators gathered under the balcony, smartly dressed in a navy blue suit and white shirt.
His younger brother Vincent was just as smart in a matching navy blue suit.
However, he opted for a pink and blue striped tie instead of the block color his older brother wore.
Princess Isabella, 16, went for a striking red ensemble, with her hair pulled back into a sleek bun.
She waved enthusiastically to the crowd and sang along to their rendition of the Danish national anthem.
Despite how serious the situation was, the royal family seemed quite relaxed in their dealings with the crowd
There is little doubt that today will be a turning point for the Danish royal family, which has grown up relatively normally until now.
The family appeared close as they appeared on the balcony of Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen, Denmark
Her younger sister Josephine, 13, opted for a navy blue coat with gold buttons for a royal touch.
Despite the enormity of the moment, Crown Prince Christian seemed confident.
This may be due to the physical support his mother provided in the photos on the balcony.
Overall, according to the body language expert, it seemed that the new King Frederik was perhaps the most nervous during the big day.
The new King Frederick sealed the situation with a kiss, as he and Queen Mary embraced
At one point King Frederick looked almost tearful, perhaps as he took in the enormity of the event upon becoming monarch
The newly crowned King and Queen of Denmark – Frederik and Mary – also shared a gentle kiss during the ceremony
She told FEMAIL that although the new monarch is “genuinely happy and very emotional during the balcony period, he is not as relaxed as Margrethe.”
Adrianne continued: “The outgoing queen looked relaxed and genuinely happy.
'Her body language was relaxed and controlled. Frederik is quite restless and not very controlled.
'As soon as Margrethe gets up and gives him the chair, we see him point to the chair. He is used to respecting her as queen, but it will take some time for him to get used to being on the throne now.
“We see him genuinely smiling alongside the nervousness he displays.”
Following Margrethe's abdication, Crown Prince Christian is considered one of Europe's most eligible bachelors.
After the Council of State, Frederick was proclaimed king on the balcony of Christiansborg Castle, joined shortly afterwards by his wife Mary and their four children
Now that Frederick is king, it will be seen whether the family's lifestyle will change – they are often considered quite relaxed given their royal status
Crown Prince Christian is now next in line to the Danish throne after his father, King Frederick X, replaced Queen Magrethe II following the royal grandmother's shocking abdication.
And just months after his 18th birthday, he's already been romantically linked to European royals, including Princess Maria Chiara di Borbone-Due Sicilies, 19.
The pair were recently photographed together by high society magazine Tatler, sparking a wave of speculation that a royal wedding was in the offing.
The princess – whose family has their ancestral roots in Naples in southern Italy – took to social media three weeks later to dampen the wedding gossip.
She admitted: “Prince Christian and I share a close friendship.”