Prince Christian, 18, will temporarily become the ruler of Denmark: what happened and where did King Frederick go?

Prince Christian of Denmark temporarily assumed the duties of the king while his father, King Frederick X, left the country. The monarch traveled to Poland on his first visit abroad.

The 18-year-old crown prince will act as ruler until his father returns on Friday. This includes signing laws, making public speeches, and appointing or dismissing ministers, the Daily Mail reports.

Although it is very unlikely that Christian will have to make any major decisions in these few days, this temporary appointment could have a positive impact on his reputation as the future king.

For the prince, this is his first experience of governing the state, but it is quite legal and natural, because on January 14, Queen Margrethe abdicated, leaving Frederick as her successor.

When he is not in office, the management passes into the hands of the eldest heir, and then the position may pass to his mother Mary. The new queen consort will take over as "deputy" only if her adult son is unwilling or unable to replace his father.

For these three days, the prince has been given the same power as the king, and will probably not shirk his duties.

Royal expert Sebastian Olden-Jorgensen from the University of Copenhagen suggested that if Christian needs to sign a law while Frederik is away, he will do it himself without waiting for his father.

"We have a constitution and some laws, but we also have a political culture, and it is just as strong and says, among other things, that the regent signs what the parliament has passed," the expert explained.

As a reminder, 83-year-old Margrethe II became the first monarch of the kingdom in almost 900 years to voluntarily abdicate.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, in honor of the 18th birthday of Danish Prince Christian, who is now the new heir to the throne, his portraits with and without his parents were made public. Despite his young age, he already knows how to behave in public, communicate with other European royal families, and is said to have introduced his grandmother to his girlfriend.

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