Christian X
King of Denmark during two world wars
Christian X was king from 1912 to 1947, reigning during two world wars.
The mounted king
Christian X was the first prince of the Glücksborg dynasty to become king of Denmark.
Christian X was born on 26 September 1870 and was christened on 31 October that same year at Christiansborg Palace Chapel. He grew up in Frederik VIII’s Palace at Amalienborg in Copenhagen.
In 1889, he became the first heir to the Danish throne to earn an upper-secondary-school degree. After that, however, he followed the family tradition and joined the military. Before he took to the throne, he had a long career in the Danish military, serving many years in the Royal Lifeguards, which he commanded from 1905. Christian X underscored his officer’s identity by frequently wearing a uniform. His daily rides through town during the German occupation, from 1940 to 1945, earned him the nickname ‘the mounted King’ and great popular support. Reigning from 1912 to 1947, his entire time as a king and as a soldier was framed by the two world wars.
Christian X’s dismissal of the government
As king, Christian X was initially sceptical of parliamentarianism, which was introduced in 1901, and he stubbornly insisted on maintaining political influence. Disagreement over where the new border should be drawn between Denmark and Germany after the First World War led to the so-called Easter crisis in 1920, when Christian X dismissed the government. This sparked fierce protests, which eventually convinced him to back down and accept a more symbolic role as a unifying national figure. After this incident, Christian X stepped down from political activities and gained widespread popularity during the interwar years. He also developed a good working relationship with the Social Democratic Prime Minister Thorvald Stauning, who tamped down growing calls for an end to the monarchy in the Social Democratic Party.
Broadcasting into Danish sitting rooms
One important initiative during the interwar years was when Christian X began to give regular radio addresses. The King’s voice could now be heard in sitting rooms all over the country, which strengthened people’s connection and attachment to The King and the monarchy. Christian X’s authoritative voice also spoke directly to the people during the German occupation of the Second World War.