12-05-2025
Climate activists accuse Queen Mary and King Frederik of 'double standards' over historic royal ship's massive carbon emissions
Eco warriors have taken aim at Queen Mary of Denmark and her husband, King Frederik X, accusing the royal couple of hypocrisy after they boarded their historic royal ship for the start of the sailing season.
The Australian-born Queen, 53, and King Frederik, 56, launched the 2025 sailing season aboard the Royal Ship Dannebrog on Wednesday, departing from Nordre Toldbod in Copenhagen to a fanfare of 27 cannon shots before arriving in Helsingør, where they were saluted by Kronborg Castle.
But while the royal appearance drew cheers from the crowd, critics say the tradition is at odds with Frederik's previously stated commitment to environmental responsibility.
The Dannebrog, built in the early 1930s, is said to emit 60 times more CO2 than the average Danish citizen does in an entire year.
The ship, which serves as an official and private residence for members of the Royal Family during summer cruises and overseas visits, is considered a national symbol and has been used by Danish monarchs for generations.
Last year, it was used by King Frederik and Queen Mary during their state visits to Sweden, Norway, the Faroe Islands, and Greenland.
Despite its cultural significance, critics have pointed to King Frederik's environmental messaging, especially in the wake of his recent accession to the throne.
Just three days after becoming king on January 14, 2024, Frederik released The King's Word, a book outlining his visions for the future, including his and Queen Mary's commitment to promoting a greener future.
"As the royal couple, we are concerned with being able to contribute to passing the planet on to the next generation in good condition, which requires that we promote the green transition," King Frederik wrote.
But the decision to continue using the Dannebrog has prompted backlash from activists and politicians alike.
Christina Olumeko, democracy spokesperson for The Alternative party, and Jacob Sørensen, an analyst with the environmental group NOAH, criticised the King for displaying "double standards" and urged him to act as a stronger role model.
In response, the Danish Royal House issued a statement to broadcaster B.T. via its new Head of Communications, Nina Munch-Perrin.
"The Royal House is aware of the dilemma associated with Dannebrog being powered by conventional fuel," she said.
"The Defence is currently investigating the possibility of using alternative fuels with a view to reducing emissions from the Royal Ship."
Munch-Perrin added that the vessel holds a deeper significance: "It is important to emphasise that Dannebrog is a historic ship with symbolic and representative significance for Denmark.
"It is a gathering point, no matter where in the Kingdom it is located. The royal ship is in great demand."
Royal historian Sebastian Olden-Jørgensen welcomed the acknowledgement but said the Royal House should have anticipated criticism over the Dannebrog's environmental impact.
"It was only a matter of time before the climate issue had to hit the Royal House, especially when you have set the climate line you have," he said.
"So it's surprising that you haven't thought about it before."
Olden-Jørgensen noted the complexity of modernising such a storied vessel while maintaining tradition.
"Nina Munch-Perrin gives a defensive answer, which basically means that they haven't really thought about how to make the ship more climate-friendly, but that they want to do it now," he said.
"But she also indicates that there are no easy solutions, and that's probably right if you want to preserve the Royal Ship in its current design, and it's probably also insanely expensive to completely redesign it."
The criticism comes as the Danish royal family relocated from Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen to their preferred summer home, Fredensborg Palace on Zealand Island.
The king and queen, along with three of their four children, Princess Isabella, 18, and 14-year-old twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, were seen arriving at their new royal residence on Monday.
Their eldest son, Crown Prince Christian, who is 19, will join the rest of the family later this summer after he completes his mandatory military service in Slagelse.
