The newly-crowned monarch, aged 55, was observed wearing a macramé and beaded bracelet as he ascended to the throne from the balcony of Christiansborg Palace at Amalienborg on January 14th.
Initially thought to be a Shamballa bracelet, a recent royal exhibition has confirmed that the accessory was a gift to Frederik from his four children – Crown Prince Christian, aged 18, Princess Isabella, aged 16, and the 13-year-old twins, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine.
The bracelet, crafted by Copenhagen-based jewelers Shamballa Jewels, showcases blue stones adorned with gold and diamond accents. The term “Shamballa” is believed to represent the mythical kingdom that Tibetan Buddhists view as a symbol of enlightenment, peace, and perfection.
King Frederik and his wife, Queen Mary, aged 52, made an appearance to admire the new exhibition titled “Frederik X: King of Tomorrow” at Amalienborg Museum. Among the personal items showcased are the wedding garments of Frederik and Mary, including the queen’s satin gown crafted by Uffe Frank.
Within one of the displays lies a previously unseen black and gold tulle dress, which Frederik presented to his then-girlfriend Mary during his second visit to Australia, where she resided, after their initial meeting at the Sydney 2000 Olympics. Mary, who hails from Australia, had a long-distance relationship with the Crown Prince before relocating to Denmark to be with him.
Their engagement was publicly announced in October 2003, and the couple exchanged vows the following May at Copenhagen Cathedral. Frederik and Mary are set to commemorate their 20th wedding anniversary on May 14, 2024.
The king and queen shared conversations and moments of laughter as they explored the exhibition, which also featured the King’s christening attire, student cap, and a vibrant orange helmet bearing the name “Pingo” – a nod to Frederik’s enduring nickname from his time undergoing training as a frogman in the Frømandskorpset, the maritime special operations unit of the Danish Armed Forces.
During a military exercise, Frederik’s wetsuit became filled with water, causing him to move clumsily like a penguin, which led to his comrades affectionately dubbing him “Pingo.” It is believed that this nickname was inspired by the popular children’s show, Pingu.
The exhibition will remain on view at Amalienborg Museum in Christian VIII’s Palace at Amalienborg from March 22 to September 8, 2024.
