His love of sailing has taken him around the world in competitions and races, and he is soon to serve as patron of the Sailing World Championships in Denmark next year.
So it came as little surprise that HRH Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark pitched up at Hamilton Island Race Week 2017, on board the Wild Oats XI, earlier this week – while his wife, Crown Princess Mary, remained at home in Denmark with their youngest children, who have just started school.
As the Crown Prince takes to the high seas, FEMAIL takes a look back at some of the family’s sailing highlights. It would seem it’s not just the Prince with a love of the water.
HRH Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark (pictured right of centre, front row with the crew) is at Hamilton Island Race Week – sailing on board Wild Oats XI
Prince Frederik (pictured in 2014) has always been an avid sailor – he is a competitive Farr 40 skipper as well as an accomplished Dragon boater
But it’s not only the 49-year-old Prince with a passion for the seas – his Australian-born wife, Crown Princess Mary (pictured), is also a fan of sailing (pictured in 2005 in Sydney Harbour)
In 2005, the pair took each other on in a series of 20-minute yacht races on Sydney Harbour, where the Princess beat Prince Frederik 2-1 (pictured competing in Sydney)
Luckily for the avid sailor – who is a competitive Farr 40 skipper as well as an accomplished Dragon boater – in Australian-born Princess Mary, Prince Frederik, 49, has found someone in common.
In 2005, the pair took each other on in a series of 20-minute yacht races on Sydney Harbour, where the Princess beat him 2-1.
The races were a rematch of another race Princess Mary, 45, had won before their wedding in Copenhagen the previous year.
For the occasion, the stylish Royal was a far cry from her usual glamorous self – clad in designer reflective sunglasses, a white rain jacket, black shorts and a smile.
Photos from the day capture the pair sailing around Sydney, while hundreds of onlookers gathered at the Opera House or Farm Cove to catch a glimpse.
‘It was a good match and the best woman won,’ Crown Prince Frederik – playing the gallant loser – said at the time.
The race took place during Frederik and Mary’s first day of their Australian Royal tour.
The races were a rematch of another race Princess Mary (pictured), 45, had won before their wedding in Copenhagen the previous year
The pair’s oldest son, Prince Christian (pictured), is also a keen sailor – he attended a dragon race during the Hamlet Dragon Gold Cup in 2016 in Denmark
The young prince attended this race with his father, Prince Frederik (both pictured)
Prince Christian seemed to be a natural on board (pictured)
‘It was a good match and the best woman won,’ Crown Prince Frederik – playing the gallant loser – said when he was beaten by his wife (pictured)
Princess Mary is pictured taking part in the Baltic Sea Challenge – a sailing Regatta for 12-metre boats – in Denmark in 2016 (pictured)
Crown Prince Frederik often sails with his good friend and Sydney property expert, Chris Meehan – Chris was Princess Mary’s (pictured) old boss at Belle Property when she was simply Mary Donaldson
Since then, Crown Prince Frederik has had far more sailing adventures – including competing in the 2009 World Masters Games with his good friend and Sydney property expert, Chris Meehan, where the two capsized their boat in Sydney’s Rose Bay.
Chris Meehan was Princess Mary’s old boss at Belle Property when she was simply Mary Donaldson. Frederik also competed against Danish sailor, Nicolai Sehested, in 2013.
Now that Prince Frederik and Princess Mary have children, the pair have been eager to teach Prince Christian, Princess Isabella, Princess Josephine and Prince Vincent their love of sailing.
Just last year, the 49-year-old Crown Prince took his oldest son, Christian, to a dragon boat race during the Hamlet Dragon Gold Cup in Denmark, where Christian cut a fine figure in red trousers and dark visor glasses.
Since then, Crown Prince Frederik has had many more sailing adventures (pictured in 2006 at the start of the second edition of the Rolex Capri Sailing Week)
Crown Prince Frederik and his partner, Chris Meehan, capsized their boat in 2009 in Sydney in Rose Bay (pictured)
This is the first time that Prince Frederik has chartered billionaire Sandy Oatley’s Wild Oats 66 yacht, alongside a crew of sailing friends from Europe and others including America’s Cup legend Ian Murray, who has signed on as tactician, and Sandy Oatley’s son-in-law, Troy Tindill.
The Wild Oats XI yacht is currently third overall in the IRC Racing Division with a handicap win on day one, fourth on day two and fourth again on Tuesday.
During the Race Week, Prince Frederik has been exposed first hand to Australia’s Draconian liquor laws.
The Daily Telegraph reported he was turned away from Brisbane bar, Jade Buddha Bar, for having no ID with him earlier in the week.
The pair as their boat capsized close to the Woollahra Sailing Club in 2009 (pictured)
They managed to laugh it off, however (pictured)
The Audi Hamilton Island Race Week – which is now in its 33rd year – wraps up on Saturday August 26 (pictured: Princess Mary in 2005)
The Audi Hamilton Island Race Week – which is now in its 33rd year – wraps up on Saturday August 26.
Still to come is a champagne long lunch at exclusive Whitsundays Hotel, Qualia, on Wednesday, as well as an immersive experience of French cuisine at Long Pavilion, Qualia, on Thursday.
A ‘white’ luncheon on the sands of Pebble Beach is forecast for Friday.
To finish off the week’s activities, famed chef and Audi Ambassador Shannon Bennett will deliver an unforgettable dining experience in a picturesque jetty setting under the stars.
For more information about Audi Hamilton Island Race Week, click here.