Photo: The Danish Royal House
The royal couple attended the opening of the Danish Parliament
King Frederik, Queen Mary and Princess Benedikte followed the opening of the Danish Parliament from the royal box at Christiansborg. During the sitting, the Folketing elected a new Speaker.
King Frederik, Queen Mary and Princess Benedikte were present when the Folketing opened the new parliamentary year at Christiansborg on Tuesday. The opening always takes place on the first Tuesday in October, and it is a firm tradition that the Royal House is represented.
On arrival they were received by the Folketing's Presidium, headed by Speaker Søren Gade. From there the party went up to the royal box, where they followed the sitting.
Their own box since 1968
The royal box is a relatively recent arrangement. Until 1968 the royal family sat among the members of parliament in the chamber itself. Since then they have had their own box on the balcony above the floor, clearly visible, but separate from the elected members.
Getting in was not entirely without complications. A rope blocked access to the seats in the box, and the King loosened it himself before anyone could come to the rescue.
The opening address
The sitting was opened by the oldest member, Lars Løkke Rasmussen. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen then delivered the opening address, in which she takes stock of the state of the realm. The address also contains the legislative programme, a review of the bills the government plans to introduce in the new session.
A new Speaker during the sitting
During the sitting the Folketing elected a new Presidium. Henrik Frandsen of the Moderates was elected Speaker, succeeding Søren Gade of Venstre, who had received the royal party on arrival a couple of hours earlier.
It was therefore a new Presidium that escorted the party out of the chamber again. Henrik Frandsen accompanied the King, First Deputy Speaker Leif Lahn Jensen accompanied the Queen, and Second Deputy Speaker Karsten Hønge accompanied Princess Benedikte.
Princess Benedikte is Queen Margrethe's younger sister and King Frederik's aunt. She is 82, and remains one of the most active members of the Danish royal family.