King Frederik and Queen Mary were warmly welcomed to their new official residence at the Chancellery House, part of Fredensborg Palace, on Monday. The royal couple, who will soon celebrate their 21st wedding anniversary on 14 May, looked deeply connected as they smiled for photographs and greeted enthusiastic well-wishers gathered outside the palace.
Though their primary residence is Frederik VIII’s Palace at Amalienborg in Copenhagen—where they live with their four children, Crown Prince Christian (19), Princess Isabella (18), and 14-year-old twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine—the family traditionally relocates to Fredensborg Palace for the summer months.
Their arrival was marked by a ceremonial welcome led by the Mayor of Fredensborg, featuring performances by the Fredensborg Castle Church Girls’ Choir and the Fredensborg Brass Ensemble.
Chancellery House holds personal and historical significance for the Danish royal family. Originally constructed in 1731 during the reign of King Christian VI for ministers and government officials, it most recently served as the residence of Queen Margrethe’s mother, Queen Ingrid, until her passing in 2000.
For Frederik and Mary, the Baroque residence is especially meaningful. It was their first home as newlyweds in 2004, where they lived for six years before moving to Amalienborg following the renovation of Frederik VIII’s Palace in 2010.
The couple’s return to Fredensborg comes shortly after another major family event: Princess Isabella’s 18th birthday on 21 April. The milestone was celebrated with a multi-day affair, including a star-studded concert at the Royal Danish Theatre and a special ceremony at Aarhus City Hall that highlighted youth talent from across Denmark.
The celebrations also included a striking set of birthday portraits, notably one of Isabella in royal regalia holding a phone—a fresh take on royal tradition. Alongside the photos, the young royal shared a heartfelt message:
“Thank you so much to everyone who helped me celebrate my 18th birthday. It has been really nice that so many people have spent their time, thought and effort to make my day so special. This means a lot to me.”
