Crown Prince Frederik turns 40, but Danes don't want him as King

Crown Prince Frederik has celebrated his 40th birthday. The Prince waved at throngs of well-wishers, who gathered in the rain on Monday, from the balcony of Amalienborg Palace.

Also present at the celebration were Prince Frederik's wife, Princess Mary, and their two children, 2-year-old Prince Christian and 1-year-old Princess Isabella; as well as his parents Queen Margrethe II and Prince Henrik.

Despite his apparent popularity, only 1 in 5 polled in a Capacent/Urban survey feel that the time has come for the Crown Prince to take the throne. However, the survey had some contradictory results, with about half of those surveyed saying that Queen Margrethe II should abdicate.

Sociologist Emilia van Hauen, interpreted the survey results as showing that Frederik "was able to accomplish the impossible mission of being down to earth and regal at the same time."

Royal Forum discussion