One of the most eligible royals in Europe is about to turn 18. But who’s invited to the spectacular gala dinner? And will the Princess of Bourbon-Two Sicilies and her ‘Momager’ mum be welcome (after all those dating rumours)?
Prince Christian, a future king of Denmark, will celebrate his 18th birthday with a gala dinner later this month.
The Danish Royal House has already posted a video teaser showing courtiers sending out the invitations, with notable young people and representatives of youth organizations expected to be among the guests.
Senior royals from across Europe are also expected to attend, including Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, Christian’s godmother, with her daughter Princess Estelle, 11.
But the real question is this: after all those dating rumors, will Princess Marie Chiara of Bourbon-Two-Sicilies be invited to the dinner hosted by Queen Margrethe, which take place in Christiansborg Palace in a fortnight?
Preparations for Prince Christian of Denmark’s 18th birthday gala have officially begun
There is speculation about which royals will attend. In the photo: Princesses Maria-Carolina and Maria Chiara of Bourbon-Two-Sicilies. Earlier this year, it was speculated that Christian and Chiara were close
Christian is second in line to the throne of Denmark, after his father, Crown Prince Fredrick, left. His mother, Princess Mary, is on the other side
Rumors that Chiara, 18, and Christian were close started when the two were photographed together at the Monaco Grand Prix earlier this year.
Neither her sister, Princess Carolina, nor mother, Duchess Camilla, did anything to dispel the rumors.
The three women made frequent Instagram appearances last summer, with Camilla – nicknamed the ‘Momager’ – photographed in the company of Prince Michael of Kent at an exclusive beach bar on the Cote d’Azur.
Ultimately, Chiara took to Instagram and seemed to dismiss the speculation, saying, “While we all enjoy dreaming fairy tales, reality is all that really matters.”
She added that “this situation initially made me smile” as she further discussed the “incorrect information.”
Chiara told Italian newspaper Corriere: ‘We have known each other since we were little, my father Carlo is godfather to his younger sister.’
Her father Prince Carlo lays claim to the now-defunct throne of the former House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, a cadet branch of the Spanish royal family. While her mother, Duchess Camilla, is the daughter of Italian industry magnate Camilla Crociani.
Speculation that Christian and Chiara were dating began in May when a group photo surfaced on social media of the far-right duo standing close together during the Monaco Grand Prix.
Pictured: Princess Camilla de Bourbon Siciles (center), known as the ‘Momager’ with her daughters Maria Carolina and Maria Chiara in October 2019 in Paris, France
Crown Princess Victoria, one of Christian’s godparents, has confirmed her invitation. In the photo: Prince Christian (right) at the wedding of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Prince Daniel
(L-R) Prince Vincent, Prince Christian, Princess Isabella, Danish Crown Prince Frederik, Princess Josephine and Crown Princess Mary pose in front of the palace in April 2022
The guest list appears likely to include young royals from other European households, especially those from Scandinavia.
Possible guests include Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands, 19, Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway, 19, Princess Leonor of Spain, 17, and Princesses Elisabeth, 21, of Belgium.
In November, Prince Christian will formally pledge to uphold the country’s constitution, a major step forward in his journey as future king.
Norwegian Princess Ingrid Alexandra, front and center, with (back row from left) Catharina-Amalia, Princess of Orange and Princess Elisabeth, Duchess of Brabant and (front from left) Princess Estelle of Sweden (and Prince Charles of Luxembourg. The portrait was taken last year on the occasion of Ingrid Alexandra’s 18th birthday
Princess Josephine, Prince Vincent and Prince Christian of Denmark are pictured with their grandmother Queen Margrethe on the balcony of Amalienborg Palace in April 2022
Crown Prince Frederik, Prince Christian, Crown Princess Mary, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine stand at the gangway to the royal yacht in September 2022
Christian was born on October 15, 2005 at Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen and is known by his title of Count of Monpezat.
He is second in line to the throne of Denmark, after his grandmother, Queen Margrethe, and his father.
Crown Princess Mary and Prince Frederik chose to keep their son’s upbringing relatively private in his early years.
It wasn’t until 2012 that Christian attended his first official royal engagement with his grandmother, the Queen.
Christian became the first Danish royal to attend a state public school, Tranegårdskolen in Hellerup, and his siblings, Princess Isabella of Denmark, 15, and Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, 10, joined him in the years that followed .
In early 2020, all four royal children began a twelve-week program at the Lemania-Verbier International School in Switzerland. But just weeks into their studies, the COVID-19 pandemic struck and they returned to Denmark.
Crown Princess Mary and Prince Frederik chose to keep their son’s upbringing relatively private in his early years. Pictured: with his father at Amalienborg Palace in April 2016
Frederik and Mary of Denmark pose for photos with their son Christian on his first day of school in August 2011
Christian is currently completing his final years of education at Ordrup Gymnasium, a public school in Copenhagen.
In June, Christian announced that we would be forgoing his royal allowance to focus on his education instead.
We’ll wait until he’s 21 before we become full-time royals.