Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark celebrated his 50th birthday by stepping on to the Amalienborg Palace balcony to rapturous applause from his adoring subjects.
The heir apparent initially stepped out alone into the bright Copenhagen sun on Saturday to massive cheers, before he was joined by his wife Princess Mary and the rest of his family.
Looking slightly shy in a sleek navy blue suit, white shirt and blue pattered tie, he showed his appreciation for the crowd by clasping his hands together and bowing his head.
Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark celebrated his 50th birthday by stepping on to the Amalienborg Palace balcony to rapturous applause from his adoring subjects
Prince Frederik was soon joined by his wife Princess Mary, who beamed with pride as she waved to the royal fans who spent hours outside the palace waiting for a glimpse of the popular couple
The royal couple were then joined by Queen Margrethe and their four children Christian, 12, Isabella, 11, and seven-year-old twins Vincent and Josephine
His 46-year-old bride beamed with pride as she waved to the royal fans who spent hours outside the palace waiting for a glimpse of the popular couple.
The Australian-born princess wore a light fitted dress with striking bright floral patterns, complimented with brilliant blue earrings and wore her highlighted locks down and behind her head.
They were soon joined by Queen Margrethe who stood out in a bright pink gown with a broach in the shape of a Marguerite Daisy, the national flower of Denmark.
Frederik and Mary’s four children Christian, 12, Isabella, 11, and seven-year-old twins Vincent and Josephine were miniature versions of their parents, with the boys in the same suits as the birthday man.
Looking slightly shy in a sleek navy blue suit, white shirt and blue pattered tie as he showed his appreciation for the crowd by clasping his hands together and bowing his head
The Australian-born princess wore a light fitted dress with striking bright floral patterns, complimented with brilliant blue earrings and wore her highlighted locks down and behind her head
Frederik and Mary’s four children Christian, 12, Isabella, 11, and seven-year-old twins Vincent and Josephine were miniature versions of their parents, with the boys in the same suits as the birthday man.
Celebrations will continue into the evening when Queen Margrethe hosts a gala dinner at Christiansborg Palace attended by numerous other royals and likely members of Mary’s Australian family
Thousands of Danish citizens packed the square outside the palace to wish Frederik happy birthday, cheering and waving Danish flags
Celebrations will continue into the evening when Queen Margrethe hosts a gala dinner at Christiansborg Palace attended by numerous other royals and likely members of Mary’s Australian family.
Guests included the monarchs of Belgium, Luxembourg, Holland, Norway, Sweden, and Greece with the Spanish king and queen sending their apologies.
Prince Frederik is celebrating his first birthday without his father Prince Henrik, who died in February after a long illness.
Celebrations started days ago when the Crown Prince unveiled a new set of commemorative portraits of himself on Thursday night, posing in front of it with his family.
Prince Frederik of Denmark (far right) looked delighted as he joined his family to unveil their portraits Ralph Heimans (fourth left) at Frederiksborg Castle in Denmark on Thursday
Australian-born artist Ralph Heimans was also in attendance at the special reception at Frederiksborg Castle in Hilleroed.
Princess Mary cut a stylish figure fuchsia A-line dress which was cinched in at the waist, and featured a ruched hemline and balloon sleeves.
She teamed the dress with stylish T-bar sandals and wore her hair in loose blow-dried waves.
Mary was joined by her mother-in-law Margrethe, who opted for a pastel pink shift dress and white court shoes, tying her hair in an elegant chignon.
The Prince, 49, was joined by his mother Danish Queen Margrethe, 78, (seen) his wife Princess Mary, 46, Prince Christian, 12, Princess Josephine (seen), 10, and twins Princess Isabella (seen) and Prince Vincent, seven
Ralph was also in attendance, posing alongside the family as they admired their portraits (portrait of Frederik seen)
Meanwhile Princess Josephine, 10, wore a pretty pink lace dress and her hair in a half ponytail as she embraced her little sister Isabeella, who looked sweet in a baby blue lace dress.
Prince Christian and Vincent looked smart in suits and ties, matching their father, who looked dapper in a fitted suit and blue tie.
The family admired the opulent paintings, which were painted at the National History Museum in Hilleroed.
The new portrait will form the center of an exhibition with portraits by Australian visual artist Ralph Heimans.
The exhibition ‘Ralph Heimans Portraits’ shows a significant part of the artist’s production, which includes a portrait of Crown Princess Mary, members of the British Royal House and international personalities.
Princess Mary cut a stylish figure fuchsia A-line dress which was cinched in at the waist, and featured a ruched hemline and balloon sleeves (far right)
The family admired the opulent paintings, which were painted at the National History Museum in Hilleroed
The love story between Princess Mary and Prince Frederick has been well documented; the couple met in a Sydney bar and Mary, born in Tasmania, moved to the northern hemisphere to be with Frederik.
In December, in a candid interview with Australian Women’s Weekly, the Crown Princess revealed that moving to the other side of the world was difficult.
‘I did experience a feeling of loneliness – short-term – when I first moved to Denmark,’ she told the magazine.
‘Moving to Denmark was a huge change in my life – a new culture, new language, new friends, and another way of life.’ ‘So, I see it as quite natural that at times I felt quite alone or a little bit like I was on the outside looking in.’
