King Frederik helped paint flowers in new portrait, report says

Denmark’s King Frederik X unveiled a new portrait at Frederiksborg Castle on 25 September, with a small part of the painting his own work, Nieuws.nl reported, citing Danish news agency Ritzau. [1]

The portrait’s artist, Cathrine Raben Davidsen, invited Frederik to paint some of its flowers. She said she wanted him to be part of the work, according to the account of her comments to Ritzau. Queen Mary was among those attending the unveiling. [1]

The flowers have a family connection: the Royal Household says the marguerite daisies are a tribute to Queen Margrethe. Frederik is depicted in the navy’s dark-blue gala uniform against a landscape inspired by Kongsøre Forest beside the Isefjord, where he completed parts of his frogman training. [2]

Davidsen received the commission more than two years before the unveiling. Frederik visited her studio several times and posed for the portrait during its creation. [2]

The Royal Household describes the work as his first official painted portrait since his accession. An earlier miniature of Frederik was painted by British artist Tom Mulliner in connection with the 2024 accession, for a portrait jewel worn by Queen Mary. [2] [5]

The new painting now hangs in Frederiksborg’s Great Hall alongside portraits of other Glücksburg monarchs. According to the museum, Davidsen is the first female artist to paint an official portrait of a reigning monarch for that hall. [2] [3]