The king of Denmark dropped a key event amid growing calls for the heir to the throne to take the reins.
King Frederik X has come under early scrutiny in the new year after skipping a key televised awards ceremony, prompting his son and heir Prince Christian, 20, to step in at future events.
The European royal had refused to participate in the Sport 2025 televised awards in Herning.
Danish media reported on 2 January 2026 that King Frederik X had decided not to attend the annual awards ceremony, a major event where he had previously presented awards.
The palace calendar simply showed no engagement for that day.
However, this decision generated disappointment from some, including a local sports editor who suggested that if the king could not attend, the task should be handed over to the sports-interested Crown Prince Christian.
BT‘s sports editor Lasse Vøge expressed disappointment at the decision. “For the show and the sport, it is sad and disappointing that the tradition will not be maintained,” he wrote.
He continued: “Let’s hope the king is back next year. Or maybe he will pass the task on to Crown Prince Christian, who is also fond of sports.”
