King
Christian X
Christian X (1870–1947)
Queen Alexandrine’s driving licence
The first Danish queen to take the wheel
Queen Alexandrine, Christian X’s consort, was one of the first women in Denmark to get behind the wheel of a car. Here was a queen who kept with the times during this early period of automotive history in Denmark.
Alexandrine earned her driving licence in 1916, as one of the first women in Denmark. At the time, cars were still a rare sight in the street, and women drivers were even rarer. However, Alexandrine had been following this new development closely, and the Royal Family had acquired their first car as early as in 1909. Alexandrine’s own car was a Fiat 501 with a Danish-made body from Dansk Karosserifabrik.
Alexandrine’s first licence was issued in 1916, after she had passed both the written and the practical test, in accordance with the Road Traffic Act.
Alexandrine’s driving licence and goggles
Alexandrine’s driving goggles
When you drive a convertible, driving goggles are a must. Photo: Iben Kaufmann
Alexandrine’s driving licence from 1931
A replacement for the first driving licence, which was issued in 1916. Photo: Iben Kaufmann
On the road
On a visit to Skagen, the Royal Couple are about to go on a drive with their friends Hakon and Nanna Børresen with Alexandrine behind the wheel. Photo: The Royal Photographs Collection, HM The King’s Reference Library
Behind the wheel of her Fiat 501
Alexandrine is behind the wheel of her Fiat 501, with Christian X standing beside the car. Photo: The Royal Photographs Collection, HM The King’s Reference Library