Danish State Visit to France: March 31 - April 2, 2025

[Izzie]

Despite all the naysaying the Macrons are definitely superb hosts : a subtle mix of tradition, pump and friendly hospitality.

You can moan endlessly about the "good ol'days" and the glorious bejewelled white tie state dinners, the fact is it's not the case in France anymore. Period.

That's said i do think the Macrons found the right balance between tradition and modernity, not without a certain elegance and panache, but without being too over the top, avoiding too much raised eyebrows from the always suspicious French general public (critics being unavoidable in that times and age though).

State visits were certainely upgraded since 2017, especially after the ascetic years of the Hollande Presidency.

Thank you for saying this!! I think the waxing nostalgic for the days of wearing every jewel from the vault for these royal to non-royal state visits are just not going to happen, especially with the current environment! I can imagine the height of raised eyebrows.

Also, this visit had, imo, the right amount of pomp and tradition, mixed with modernity. It was lovely to see the warm relationship between the Danish King/Queen and President and Mrs. Macron. It was nice to see them participate in all 3 days of the visit as well. Shows the close ties!

 

[maria-olivia]

During this State Visit , The King of Denmark Head of State impressed me for the first time.

 

[iceflower]

The Palace has shared King Frederik's full speech at the gala dinner on its youtube channel:

DET DANSKE KONGEHUS 🇩🇰 on Instagram: "Hans Majestæt Kongen holdt mandag aften tale ved gallataflet på Élysée-palæet i anledning af statsbesøget til Frankrig. Se hele talen på Kongehusets YouTube-kanal (link i bio)"

32K likes, 370 comments - detdanskekongehus on April 3, 2025: "Hans Majestæt Kongen holdt mandag aften tale ved gallataflet på Élysée-palæet i anledning af statsbesøget til Frankrig. Se hele talen på Kongehusets YouTube-kanal (link i bio)".

www.instagram.com

 

[polyesco]

French media praises King Frederik: 'Extremely likeable'

Franske medier roser kong Frederik: ‘Ekstremt likeable'

Kongeparret har gjort indtryk i Frankrig.

www.bt.dk

"For someone who may not have many opportunities to speak French in everyday life, his French is really good. Sometimes he changes words, but that just makes it more charming,' she writes in an email to BT.
The journalist also tells how the King suddenly gave an impromptu speech in French during a visit to a tapestry weaving factory, and it clearly meant a lot to the employees.
According to Prudhomme, the King's good mood during the visit also made an impression in France.
'The Majesties are extremely likeable, and the King was joking or laughing all the time. It seemed like he really felt at home here.'"


The transition from Crown Prince Couple to Royal Couple has been seamlessly. They got lots of practice as CP couple as they were already taking part in State Visits not just in the galas but playing host to the presidential/royal couples. Also their official visits with many Danish business around the world were consistent.

 

[Izzie]

French media praises King Frederik: 'Extremely likeable'

Franske medier roser kong Frederik: ‘Ekstremt likeable'

Kongeparret har gjort indtryk i Frankrig.

www.bt.dk

"For someone who may not have many opportunities to speak French in everyday life, his French is really good. Sometimes he changes words, but that just makes it more charming,' she writes in an email to BT.
The journalist also tells how the King suddenly gave an impromptu speech in French during a visit to a tapestry weaving factory, and it clearly meant a lot to the employees.
According to Prudhomme, the King's good mood during the visit also made an impression in France.
'The Majesties are extremely likeable, and the King was joking or laughing all the time. It seemed like he really felt at home here.'"


The transition from Crown Prince Couple to Royal Couple has been seamlessly. They got lots of practice as CP couple as they were already taking part in State Visits not just in the galas but playing host to the presidential/royal couples. Also their official visits with many Danish business around the world were consistent.

Great article! They've been the royal couple in training for many years! Also, like you said, for years, they basically were the de facto hosts when there was a state visit to Denmark taking part in all the day engagements. Also, their extensive traveling abroad on business trips and official visits all over the world leading delegations gave them invaluable experience. King Frederik has been the definition of stateman for many years and, along with Queen Mary, have made a super team and power couple representing Denmark abroad. This 3 day state visit to France with all the heavy implications both as to the public optics and the all the actions bts is the epitome of soft diplomacy.

They hit it out of the park on what was a very important state visit. I received alot of coverage as well. They were on the world stage while in France and passed with flying colors. They understood the assignment and delivered.

 

[carlota]

For native French-speakers: How is King Frederik's French?

ADDED: Just in. DK and France has signed an agreement in regards to common procurement of defense materiel.
DK has a similar agreement with the Nordic countries.

- That is aiming a standardization and bulk purchases and military equipment and weapons. That helps to keep the prices down and the more standard equipment that is used the easier it is to keep logistics flowing and find spare parts and repair facilities and borrow from each other.

His French is really excellent. His pronounciation sounds great to me.

His way of delivering his speech sounded also as if he is a very comfortable orator as he delivered bits of it without checking his papers and as if he was just having a chat with the attendees.

 

[Muhler]

His French is really excellent. His pronounciation sounds great to me.

His way of delivering his speech sounded also as if he is a very comfortable orator as he delivered bits of it without checking his papers and as if he was just having a chat with the attendees.

Thanks. That's interesting.
I read a review where it was said that he seemed more comfortable giving his speech in French.

I wonder why.

 

[polyesco]

Language can be a funny thing. I've been told that my voice sounds softer when I speak in Spanish. I learned both Spanish and English basically at the same time from the start.

On another note, Frederik received a bicycle from the French President

Diplomatie. Un vélo fabriqué dans l'Ain, le cadeau d'Emmanuel Macron au roi du Danemark

À l’occasion d’une visite d’État du roi du Danemark, Frédérik X, Emmanuel Macron lui a offert un vélo de la marque Radior fabriqué dans l’Ain.

www.leprogres.fr

 

[carlota]

Thanks. That's interesting.
I read a review where it was said that he seemed more comfortable giving his speech in French.

I wonder why.

I obviously can’t compare with danish as I don’t understand it but he definitely appeared comfortable in French. It sounded very conversational somehow whilst remaining a formal speech. I wonder if that’s what they meant

 

[PrincessofEurope]

did we establish during the visit if Mary speaks French? Or did she have a translator for the visit

 

[An Ard Ri]

did we establish during the visit if Mary speaks French? Or did she have a translator for the visit

Didn't Mary once work as an English tutor in Paris ?
(Perhaps the queen has some basic French)

 

[maria-olivia]

Paris Watch , this Week not a lot of pictures , I hoped to see pictures of important Guests , no.
A whole page with the interview of King Frederik and Queen Mary translated in French.

 

[polyesco]

Some of the gifts received from France.

Frederik et Mary de Danemark gâtés : ces cadeaux qu’ils ont reçus pendant leur visite d’État en France

Qui dit visite d’État en France, dit cadeaux symbolisant les liens avec le pays invité. De passage à Paris pour trois jours, le roi Frederik et la reine Mary de Danemark sont repartis mercredi avec trois jolis cadeaux dans leurs valises.

www.parismatch.com

A bike, a rare and in French book on Andersen's Fairy Tales, and documents from the Archives of the Élysée Palace illustrating the visit to France of King Frederik IX and Queen Margrethe