The Danish Royal Household has released new images of Crown Prince Christian in his army uniform, five weeks since he was last photographed arriving at the Antvorskov army barracks in Slagelse, Denmark.
The royal is currently undertaking four months of basic military training with the Gardehusarregimentet (Grand Hussar Regiment) and is living at the barracks which are conveniently located only an hour away from his family’s royal residence at Frederik VIII’s Palace, Amalienborg in Copenhagen.
In the official photos, the next-in-line to the Danish throne was captured standing stoically alongside his fellow recruits, as well as with his proud parents King Frederik X and Queen Mary, and siblings Princess Isabella, Prince Vincent, and Princess Josephine.
It is understood that the 19-year-old hadn’t seen his family in person since arriving at the army barracks on February 3rd.
“For over a month, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has been serving as a military officer at the Guards Regiment in Slagelse. The company’s families were today invited to a visiting day at the barracks, where the Royal Family got the opportunity to experience the Crown Prince in his setting and meet the rest of his co-recruits,” the caption shared alongside the photos read on March 9th.
In the images, it was revealed that the Crown Prince had a new military name – “Trekroner” – which was displayed on his uniform. The meaning behind the nickname is “three crowns.”
Speaking with BT News, Patrick Kjellerup, press officer at the Guard Hussar Regiment shed light on why the future King of Denmark had been given that specific name.
“Trekroner is a name that has been given to the Crown Prince by the Life Company. It is normal and an old hussar tradition that you are named after the city you come from,” he shared.
As he was passing through the gates of the barracks in early February, the royal told waiting media that he was “excited and looking forward to [military training].”
Like any doting parent, Denmark’s Queen Mary wants the absolute best for her four children. But, New Idea has previously heard that the royal was aghast at her eldest son, Prince Christian’s, decision to enroll himself in military school.
Only two months prior a Danish royal insider told New Idea that “Christian’s decision to follow in his father’s footsteps and go to military school” was “keeping Mary awake at night.”
“She knows her kids have to follow tradition – and military school was always on the cards for Christian, but secretly, Mary had hoped that he would choose a business or economics course instead.”
“It’s not a well-known fact, but Christian actually has a daredevil streak in him,” the insider added.
“Mary is worried that military life could easily draw him in for good.”
Crown Prince Christian is currently on a gap year and has already spent three months in East Africa in 2024 where he worked on several farms and learned about conservation work happening in the region.
In November 2024, Christian shared via Instagram that he was “learning a lot about life [in Africa]”, and added that he had been helping to construct houses since arriving in September of that year.
Mary has harboured worries about Christian ever since he was catapulted into the role of Crown Prince when his grandmother, Queen Margrethe, made the surprise decision to abdicate the throne in January 2024.
“That meant Frederik, Mary – and Christian – had to step into their new roles and responsibilities with little warning,” our source says.
“Mary is proud of how Christian has handled the changes but she’s worried that his decision to pursue a military career is his way of delaying the onset of more royal responsibilities.”
With the world currently in a state of turmoil, Mary also fears that her son may one day find himself on the front line of military activity.
“Christian’s decision to become an officer in the armed forces is a scary proposition,” our source added.
“Mary may well try and steer him towards another career option. But he has grown up a lot while away in Africa. He’s a man now, and will want to follow his own path.”
