One of the oldest royal houses in the world (more than a thousand years old). Constitutional (the role of the monarch is defined and limited by the Constitution, “Grundloven”) since 1849. Today, it has mostly a ceremonial role as head of state for Denmark, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands.
- The monarch presides over the Council of State and gives royal assent to laws.
- The monarch hosts official visits by Heads of State, pays state visits abroad, receives letters of credence from ambassadors, and signs those of Danish ambassadors.
- After the parliamentary elections, the monarch invites the party leader with the largest number of seats in Parliament to form the government. Once it has been formed, the monarch formally approves it.
- Gives the “New Year’s Address” on December 31 at 6:00 p.m. It is a tradition in Denmark to see the royal address while sitting at the New Year’s Eve table.
- Awards the “Order of the Elephant” (highest-ranked honor in Denmark) and the “Order of the Dannebrog” (a means of honoring meritorious civil or military service, for a particular contribution to the arts, sciences, or business life, or for working for Danish interests).
- Elevates commoners to nobility. There are about 200 families who belong to the Danish nobility at present.
The current royal house is part of the House of Glücksburg (originally from Schleswig-Holstein) which is a collateral branch of the House of Oldenburg.
