The Amalienborg Museum

Christian X

King of Denmark from 1912. Son of Frederik VIII and Lovisa of Sweden-Norway; married in 1898 to Alexandrine of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. The couple had two children.

Christian X was the first Danish king to receive the equivalent of an A level or high school certificate. After he had finished his studies he was admitted to the Royal Guards, of which he was a member for 22 years. He spent some of the time in Århus and established strong ties with that city. As a result he and Alexandrine received Marselisborg Palace as a wedding gift.

In 1920 Christian X dismissed the government because of a political dispute between the King and the government. The episode, later known as the Easter Crisis, almost cost Christian X the throne. The government was soon reinstated and the crisis warded off. Christian X was king during both world wars and became very popular during World War II. At that time he continued to ride through Copenhagen each morning, even though the Germans preferred him staying at Amalienborg without making his presence felt. Christian X also rode across the border in 1920 when Denmark was reunited with South Jutland. This event made him very popular.