This is a list of Danish monarchs, that is, the kings and queens regnant of Denmark. This includes: * The Kingdom of Denmark (up to 1397) **

Personal union A personal union is the combination of two or more states that have the same monarch while their boundaries, laws, and interests remain distinct. A real union, by contrast, would involve the constituent states being to some extent interli ...

of Denmark and Norway (1380–1397) * The

Kalmar Union The Kalmar Union ( Danish, Norwegian, and sv, Kalmarunionen; fi, Kalmarin unioni; la, Unio Calmariensis) was a personal union in Scandinavia, agreed at Kalmar in Sweden, that from 1397 to 1523 joined under a single monarch the three kingdo ...

(1397–1536) ** Union of Denmark, Norway and Sweden (1397–1523) ** Union of Denmark and Norway (1523–1536/1537) * The United Kingdoms of

Denmark–Norway Denmark–Norway ( Danish and Norwegian: ) was an early modern multi-national and multi-lingual real unionFeldbæk 1998:11 consisting of the Kingdom of Denmark, the Kingdom of Norway (including the then Norwegian overseas possessions: the Faroe ...

(1536/1537–1814) * The Kingdom of Denmark (1814–present) **

Iceland Iceland ( is, Ísland; ) is a Nordic island country in the North Atlantic Ocean and in the Arctic Ocean. Iceland is the most sparsely populated country in Europe. Iceland's capital and largest city is Reykjavík, which (along with its ...

(since the union between

Denmark ) , song = ( en, "King Christian stood by the lofty mast") , song_type = National and royal anthem , image_map = EU-Denmark.svg , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Kingdom of Denmark , establish ...

and

Norway Norway, officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic countries, Nordic country in Northern Europe, the mainland territory of which comprises the western and northernmost portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula. The remote Arctic island of ...

in 1380; independent kingdom in a personal union with Denmark 1918–1944; a sovereign republic since 1944) **

Greenland Greenland ( kl, Kalaallit Nunaat, ; da, Grønland, ) is an island country in North America that is part of the Kingdom of Denmark. It is located between the Arctic and Atlantic oceans, east of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Greenland ...

(since the union between

and

in 1380; effective Danish–Norwegian control began in 1721; integrated into the Danish realm in 1953; internal home rule introduced 1979; self-determination assumed in 2009; Greenland has two out of 179 seats in the Danish parliament

Folketinget The Folketing ( da, Folketinget, ; ), also known as the Parliament of Denmark or the Danish Parliament in English, is the unicameral national legislature (parliament) of the Kingdom of Denmark—Denmark proper together with the Faroe Islands an ...

) **

Faroe Islands The Faroe Islands ( ), or simply the Faroes ( fo, Føroyar ; da, Færøerne ), are a North Atlantic island group and an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark. They are located north-northwest of Scotland, and about halfway bet ...

(since the union between

and

in 1380; County of Denmark 1816–1948; internal home rule introduced 1948; The Faroe Islands have two out of 179 seats in the Danish parliament

) The

House of Oldenburg The House of Oldenburg is a German dynasty with links to Denmark since the 15th century. It has branches that rule or have ruled in Denmark, Iceland, Greece, Norway, Russia, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Schleswig, Holstein, and Oldenburg. The cu ...

held the Danish Crown between 1448 and 1863, when it passed to the house of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg, a cadet branch of the same house, patrilineally descended from King

Christian III of Denmark Christian III (12 August 1503 – 1 January 1559) reigned as King of Denmark from 1534 and King of Norway from 1537 until his death in 1559. During his reign, Christian formed close ties between the church and the crown. He established ...

. The kingdom had been elective (although the eldest son or brother of the previous king was usually elected) until 1660, when it became hereditary and absolutist. Until 1864 Denmark was also united in a personal union with the duchies of

Holstein Holstein (; nds, label=Northern Low Saxon, Holsteen; da, Holsten; Latin and historical en, Holsatia, italic=yes) is the region between the rivers Elbe and Eider. It is the southern half of Schleswig-Holstein, the northernmost state of German ...

and

Saxe-Lauenburg The Duchy of Saxe-Lauenburg (german: Herzogtum Sachsen-Lauenburg, called ''Niedersachsen'' (Lower Saxony) between the 14th and 17th centuries), was a ''reichsfrei'' duchy that existed from 1296–1803 and again from 1814–1876 in the extreme sou ...

(1814–1864), and in a political and personal union with the Duchy of

Schleswig The Duchy of Schleswig ( da, Hertugdømmet Slesvig; german: Herzogtum Schleswig; nds, Hartogdom Sleswig; frr, Härtochduum Slaswik) was a duchy in Southern Jutland () covering the area between about 60 km (35 miles) north and 70 km ...

Pre-''
House of Knýtlinga The Danish House of Knýtlinga ( English: "House of Cnut's Descendants") was a ruling royal house in Middle Age Scandinavia and England. Its most famous king was Cnut the Great, who gave his name to this dynasty. Other notable members were Cn ...
'' Danish monarchs

The exact date of origin of the Kingdom of Denmark is not established, but names of Danish kings begins to emerge in foreign sources from the 8th century and onwards. Danish and Nordic legendary stories,

chronicle A chronicle ( la, chronica, from Greek ''chroniká'', from , ''chrónos'' – "time") is a historical account of events arranged in chronological order, as in a timeline. Typically, equal weight is given for historically important events and ...

s and

saga is a series of science fantasy role-playing video games by Square Enix. The series originated on the Game Boy in 1989 as the creation of Akitoshi Kawazu at Square. It has since continued across multiple platforms, from the Super NES to th ...

s often have accounts of Danish kings and dynasties stretching further back in time than the 7th century, but the

historicity Historicity is the historical actuality of persons and events, meaning the quality of being part of history instead of being a historical myth, legend, or fiction. The historicity of a claim about the past is its factual status. Historicity denot ...

of the content and interpretations of these stories are often put to doubt. * Chochilaicus—see Hugleik and Hygelac— 515 AD, mentioned by

Gregory of Tours Gregory of Tours (30 November 538 – 17 November 594 AD) was a Gallo-Roman historian and Bishop of Tours, which made him a leading prelate of the area that had been previously referred to as Gaul by the Romans. He was born Georgius Floren ...

(538–594). Hugleik, according to the written sources, suffered a defeat in 515 during a naval expedition to the Frankish Empire. Hugleik is the first Danish king mentioned in European sources. *

Ongendus Ongendus (perhaps Angantyr in Danish) was a king of the Danes, reigning c. 710, the first Danish king known from contemporary literature. Historical background He was presumably king of a stronger and more unified Denmark that rose at the e ...

(''Angantyr''):

Saint Willibrord Willibrord (; 658 – 7 November AD 739) was an Anglo-Saxon missionary and saint, known as the "Apostle to the Frisians" in the modern Netherlands. He became the first bishop of Utrecht and died at Echternach, Luxembourg. Early life His father ...

wrote about when he visited the Danes, at the time ruled by Ongendus. *Harald, named as former king in relating 9th-century events, perhaps model for legendary

Harald Wartooth Harald Wartooth or ''Harold Hiltertooth'' (Old Norse: Haraldr hilditǫnn; Modern Swedish and Danish: Harald Hildetand; Modern Norwegian: ''Harald Hildetann''; flourished 8th century) was a legendary king of Denmark who is mentioned in several ...

. Related to the Frisian king Redbad II who in 754 had to flee to "the land of the Danes" where King Harald reigned (''"Daniae Regi Heraldi"''). *

Sigfred Sigfred was an eighth century Danish king who is known to have reigned from before 777 to after 798. Fragments of his reign can be traced via Frankish sources. Assistance to Widukind King Sigfred is first mentioned in 777 when the Saxon chie ...

: 770s–790s *

Gudfred Gudfred was a ninth century Danish king who reigned from at least 804 to 810. Alternate spellings include ''Godfred'' (Danish), ''Göttrick'' (German), ''Gøtrik'' (Danish), ''Gudrød'' (Danish), and ''Godofredus'' (Latin). He stands at the thres ...

: 804–810, mentioned as Danish king in the Treaty of Heiligen 811. Alternate spellings: Godfred, Göttrick (German), Godric(Anglicized English), Gøtrik (Danish), Gudrød (Danish) * Hemming: 810–811/812 The Treaty of Heiligen was signed in 811 between the Danish King Hemming and

Charlemagne Charlemagne ( , ) or Charles the Great ( la, Carolus Magnus; german: Karl der Große; 2 April 747 – 28 January 814), a member of the Carolingian dynasty, was King of the Franks from 768, King of the Lombards from 774, and the first E ...

. *

, nephew of

, and

Anulo Anulo or Ale was a pretender-king who vied for the Danish throne in 812. He represents the appearance of the House of Harald which competed with the House of Gudfred for power in Denmark until c. 857 and possibly longer. The lineage of Harald An ...

(''Anlaufr''), grandson or nephew of Harald, fought for the throne and both were killed, perhaps model for the legendary

Sigurd Hring Sigurd Ring (Old Norse: ''Sigurðr Hringr'', in some sources merely called ''Hringr'') according to legend was a king of the Swedes, being mentioned in many old Scandinavian sagas. According to these sources he was granted rulership over Sweden a ...

: *

Harald Klak Harald 'Klak' Halfdansson (c. 785 – c. 852) was a king in Jutland (and possibly other parts of Denmark) around 812–814 and again from 819–827."Carolingian Chronicles: Royal Frankish Annals and Nithard's Histories" (1970), translation by Ber ...

and his brothers

Ragnfrid Reginfrid (or Ragnfrid) (died 814) was a co-List of Danish monarchs, King of Denmark from 812, when Hemming I died, to 813, when he and his brothers were ousted by the sons of a previous king, Gudfred.Simon Coupland (1998), "From Poachers to Gamekee ...

and

Hemming Halfdansson Hemming Halfdansson (died 837) was "of the Danish race, a most Christian leader". He was probably a son of Halfdan, a leading Dane who became a vassal of Charlemagne in 807. He was probably related to the Danish royal family, as "Hemming" was one of ...

: 812–813 and again from 819/827. From 826 he and his household lived in exile with the Frankish emperor

Louis the Pious Louis the Pious (german: Ludwig der Fromme; french: Louis le Pieux; 16 April 778 – 20 June 840), also called the Fair, and the Debonaire, was King of the Franks and co-emperor with his father, Charlemagne, from 813. He was also King of Aqu ...

, he was baptized by the bishop of Mainz in Ingelheim am Rhein. The last reference of Harald in the written sources are in the

Annals of Fulda The ''Annales Fuldenses'' or ''Annals of Fulda'' are East Frankish chronicles that cover independently the period from the last years of Louis the Pious (died 840) to shortly after the end of effective Carolingian rule in East Francia with the ac ...

which records his execution for treason in 852. *Sons of Gudfred(Godrik): 814–820s **

Horik I Horik I or Hårik (died 854) was a king of the Danes. He was co-ruler from 813, and sole king from c. 828 until his violent death in 854. His long and eventful reign was marked by Danish raids on the Carolingian Empire of Louis the Pious, son ...

: (814) 827–854, King of the Danes (at first ruling jointly with his unnamed brothers). The Frankish annals mention Horik on numerous occasions during the next couple of decades. *

Horik II Horik II (died after 864), also known as Hårik or, in late sources, Erik Barn (Danish: "Erik the Child"), was King of the Danes from the fall of Horik I in 854 to an unknown date between 864 and 873. During his reign the Danish kingdom showed ...

: 854–860s. He is believed to have been the immediate successor of Horik I, but the annals are silent about the name of the Danish king for a few years after the disaster of 854. In 857, Horik II allowed Rorik to occupy the part of the kingdom between the sea and the Eider. Horik II was still alive in 864, when a letter was addressed to him by

Pope Nicholas I Pope Nicholas I ( la, Nicolaus I; c. 800 – 13 November 867), called Nicholas the Great, was the bishop of Rome and ruler of the Papal States from 24 April 858 until his death. He is remembered as a consolidator of papal authority, exerting d ...

. *Late 9th century kings ** Bagsecg: ** Halfdan: 871–877 **

: . It is generally assumed that he was the immediate successor of Horik II, although that is not certain. His year of succession is unknown, but it was between 864 (when Horik II was still king) and his first appearance as king in the Frankish annals in 873. Sigifrid was baptized in 882. **

: 880s ** Heiligo (''Halga''): 890s (?), described by

Adam of Bremen Adam of Bremen ( la, Adamus Bremensis; german: Adam von Bremen) (before 1050 – 12 October 1081/1085) was a German medieval chronicler. He lived and worked in the second half of the eleventh century. Adam is most famous for his chronicle ''Gest ...

as the immediate predecessor of the House of Olof. *The "

House of Olaf The House of Olaf was a dynasty which ruled Denmark or part of Denmark in the late 9th century and early 10th century. * Olof the Brash *Gyrd and Gnupa Gyrd and Gnupa were kings of Denmark in the 10th century according to Sweyn II of Denmark an ...

": late 9th century and early 10th century. This dynasty is described by Adam of Bremen, and members of this claimed dynasty are commemorated by the two

Sigtrygg Runestones The two Sigtrygg Runestones, designated as DR 2 and DR 4 in the Rundata catalog, are two of the Hedeby stones that were found in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, which during the Viking Age was part of Denmark. The runestones were raised after the Da ...

, which represent contemporary evidence that some of these kings controlled at least part of Denmark. ** Olof, said by Adam to have come from Sweden and defeated Heiligo, taking the crown. ** Gyrd and Gnupa, sons and joint successors of Olof, according to Adam. Gnupa is named by

Widukind of Corvey Widukind of Corvey (c. 925after 973) was a medieval Saxon chronicler. His three-volume '' Res gestae Saxonicae sive annalium libri tres'' is an important chronicle of 10th-century Germany during the rule of the Ottonian dynasty. Life In view of ...

as leader of the Danes in 934, and appears on the Sigtrygg Runestones. **

Sigtrygg Sigtrygg (''Sigtryggr'') is an Old Norse given name, composed of the elements ''sig'' "victory" and ''trygg'' "trusty, true". It is cognate with the Anglo-Saxon Sihtric. In Norse-Gaelic Ireland (9th to 11th centuries) rendered as ''Sitric'' or ' ...

, son of Gnupa, memorialized on the Sigtrygg Runestones, presumably dating from shortly after 934.

Semi-legendary kings

* Ragnar Lodbrok, a legendary king probably in the 9th century, only appears in sagas and late histories, and these accounts are wildly inconsistent. He may be a composite character, a chimera of several historical kings and Vikings. *

Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye Sigurd Snake-in-the-eye ( non, Sigurðr ormr í auga) or Sigurd Áslaugsson was a semi-legendary Viking warrior and Danish king active from the mid to late 9th century. According to multiple saga sources and Scandinavian histories from the 12th ...

(da: Sigurd Orm-i-øje or Snogeøje). Mentioned by late

Chronicon Roskildense ''Chronicon Roskildense'' (Danish: ''Roskildekrøniken'' English: ''Roskilde Chronicle'') is a small Danish historical work, written in Latin. It is one of the oldest known attempts to write a coherent account of Danish history by a Danish aut ...

and Ragnarssona þáttr. Said to be king of

Zealand Zealand ( da, Sjælland ) at 7,031 km2 is the largest and most populous island in Denmark proper (thus excluding Greenland and Disko Island, which are larger in size). Zealand had a population of 2,319,705 on 1 January 2020. It is the 1 ...

and

Scania Scania, also known by its native name of Skåne (, ), is the southernmost of the historical provinces (''landskap'') of Sweden. Located in the south tip of the geographical region of Götaland, the province is roughly conterminous with Skån ...

, and son of Ragnar Lodbrok. He may be inspired by late 9th century King Sigfred (above). *

Harthacnut Harthacnut ( da, Hardeknud; "Tough-knot"; – 8 June 1042), traditionally Hardicanute, sometimes referred to as Canute III, was King of Denmark from 1035 to 1042 and King of the English from 1040 to 1042. Harthacnut was the son of King ...

(''Hardeknud''). According to the sagas he is son of Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye, but some historians identify him with Adam's Hardegon, Svein's son, who invaded Denmark from ''Northmannia'' and supplanted the House of Olof. He may have ruled only part of Denmark, as Adam places the commencement of his long reign between 909 and 915, while the House of Olof was still ruling at least part of Denmark as late as 934. He was father of Gorm the Old.

List of monarchs of Denmark

House of Gorm A house is a single-unit residential building. It may range in complexity from a rudimentary hut to a complex structure of wood, masonry, concrete or other material, outfitted with plumbing, electrical, and heating, ventilation, and air c ...
(c. 936–1042)

House of Fairhair (1042–1047)

House of Estridsen (1047–1375)

House of Bjelbo The House of Bjelbo ( sv, Bjälboätten), also known as the House of Folkung (''Folkungaätten''), was an Ostrogothian Swedish family that provided several medieval Swedish bishops, jarls and kings. It also provided three kings of Norway and o ...
(1376–1387)

House of Estridsen (1387–1412)

House of Pomerania The House of Griffin or Griffin dynasty (german: Greifen; pl, Gryfici, da, Grif) was a dynasty ruling the Duchy of Pomerania from the 12th century until 1637. The name "Griffins" was used by the dynasty after the 15th century and had been tak ...
(1396–1439)

House of Palatinate-Neumarkt (1440–1448)

House of Oldenburg The House of Oldenburg is a German dynasty with links to Denmark since the 15th century. It has branches that rule or have ruled in Denmark, Iceland, Greece, Norway, Russia, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Schleswig, Holstein, and Oldenburg. The cu ...
(1448–1863)

, - ,
1 September 1448

21 May 1481
''()'' , Christian-I-DenmarkNorwaySweden

Armoiries Kristian I de Danmark 1426-1481

, February 1426
Oldenburgeldest son of

Dietrich, Count of Oldenburg Dietrich or Theoderic of Oldenburg (c. 1398 – 14 February 1440) was a feudal lord in Northern Germany, holding the counties of Delmenhorst and Oldenburg. He was called "Fortunatus", as he was able to secure Delmenhorst for his branch of ...

and Helvig of Schauenburg , Dorothea of Brandenburg
28 October 1449
Church of Our Lady
five children , 21 May 1481

Copenhagen Castle Copenhagen Castle ( da, Københavns Slot) was a castle on the islet of Slotsholmen in central Copenhagen, Denmark. It was built in the late 14th century and was located at the site of the current Christiansborg Palace. History In 1167, Bish ...

aged 55 , - ,
''(Hans)''
21 May 1481

20 February 1513
''()'' , King john of denmark and norway

, 2 February 1455
Aalborghus Castlethird son of Christian I and Dorothea of Brandenburg ,

Christina of Saxony Christina of Saxony (born Torgau, 25 December 1461 – died Odense, 8 December 1521), was Queen of Denmark, Norway and Sweden as the wife of King John. Life Early life Christina was engaged to John, King of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, in 1477 ...

6 September 1478

Copenhagen Copenhagen ( or .; da, København ) is the capital and most populous city of Denmark, with a proper population of around 815.000 in the last quarter of 2022; and some 1.370,000 in the urban area; and the wider Copenhagen metropolitan a ...

five children , 20 February 1513
Aalborghus Castle
aged 58 , - ,
22 July 1513

20 January 1523
''()''
(deposed) , , , 1 July 1481

Nyborg Castle Nyborg Slot is a restored medieval castle in Nyborg on the Danish island of Funen. The castle figures prominently in Danish history. It was here that King Eric V Klipping signed Denmark's first constitution in 1282. The castle was also the venu ...

second son of

John John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Secon ...

and

, Isabella of Austria
12 August 1515

six children , 25 January 1559
Kalundborg Castle
aged 77 , - ,
13 April 1523

10 April 1533
''()'' , Frederik1dk

Armoiries Fréderic 1 du Danemark 1523-1533

, 7 October 1471
Haderslevhus Castlefourth son of Christian I and Dorothea of Brandenburg , (1) Anna of Brandenburg
10 April 1502
Stendal
two children
(2)

Sophie of Pomerania Sophie of Pomerania (1498–1568) was Queen of Denmark and Norway as the spouse of Frederick I. She is known for her independent rule over her fiefs Lolland and Falster, the castles in Kiel and Plön, and several villages in Holstein as queen ...

9 October 1518

Kiel Castle Kiel Castle (german: Kieler Schloss) in Kiel in the north German state of Schleswig-Holstein was one of the secondary residences of the Gottorf dukes. The castle exhibited a very varied architectural history and in the more recent architectural ...

six children , 10 April 1533

Gottorp Castle Gottorf Castle (german: Schloss Gottorf, da, Gottorp Slot, Low German: ''Gottorp'') is a castle and estate in the city of Schleswig, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. It is one of the most important secular buildings in Schleswig-Holstein, and ...

aged 61 , - , align="center" colspan="6", Interregnum (1533–1534) , - ,
4 July 1534

1 January 1559
''()'' , Christian III of Denmark

Armoiries de Christian III de Danemark (1503-1559)

, 12 August 1503

only son of

Frederick I Frederick I may refer to: * Frederick of Utrecht or Frederick I (815/16–834/38), Bishop of Utrecht. * Frederick I, Duke of Upper Lorraine (942–978) * Frederick I, Duke of Swabia (1050–1105) * Frederick I, Count of Zoll ...

and Anna of Brandenburg , Dorothea of Saxe-Lauenburg
29 October 1525

Lauenburg Castle The Lauenburg is a ruined medieval castle in the East Harz in central Germany situated on an elevation southwest of the village of Stecklenberg (in the borough of Thale) in Harz district in the state of Saxony-Anhalt in the former German Democr ...

five children , 1 January 1559
Koldinghus Castle
aged 55 , - ,
1 January 1559

4 April 1588
''()'' , 1581 Frederik 2

Armoiries Fréderic II du Danemark simple

, 1 July 1534
Haderslevhus Castleeldest son of Christian III and Dorothea of Saxe-Lauenburg ,

Sophie of Mecklenburg-Güstrow Sophie of Mecklenburg-Güstrow (''Sophia''; 4 September 1557 – 14 October 1631) was Queen of Denmark and Norway by marriage to Frederick II of Denmark. She was the mother of King Christian IV of Denmark and Anne of Denmark. She was Regent of Sc ...

20 July 1572

eight children , 4 April 1588
Antvorskov Castle
aged 53 , - ,
4 April 1588

28 February 1648
''()'' , Christian IV Pieter Isaacsz 1612

, 12 April 1577
Frederiksborg Palaceeldest son of Frederick II and

, (1)

Anne Catherine of Brandenburg Anne Catherine of Brandenburg (26 June 1575 – 8 April 1612) was Queen of Denmark and Norway from 1597 to 1612 as the first spouse of King Christian IV of Denmark. Life Anne Catherine was born in Halle (Saale) and raised in Wolmirstedt. Her ...

27 November 1597
Haderslevhus Castle
seven children
(2) Kirsten Munk
31 December 1615

twelve children , 28 February 1648

Rosenborg Castle Rosenborg Castle ( da, Rosenborg Slot) is a renaissance castle located in Copenhagen, Denmark. The castle was originally built as a country summerhouse in 1606 and is an example of Christian IV's many architectural projects. It was built in the D ...

aged 70 , - ,
6 July 1648

9 February 1670
''()'' , Frederik III i rustning

Royal Arms of Norway & Denmark (1559-1699)

, 18 March 1609
Haderslevhus Castle
third son of Christian IV and

, Sophie Amalie of Brunswick-Lüneburg
1 October 1643

Glücksburg Castle Glücksburg Castle (German: Schloss Glücksburg, Danish: ''Lyksborg Slot'') is one of the most significant Renaissance castles in Northern Europe. The castle was the headquarters of the ducal lines of the house of Glücksburg and temporarily serve ...

eight children , 9 February 1670

aged 60 , - ,
9 February 1670

25 August 1699
''()'' , Christian V of Denmark

, 15 April 1646
Duborg Castleeldest son of Frederick III and Sophie Amalie of Brunswick-Lüneburg , Charlotte Amalie of Hesse-Kassel
25 June 1667
Nykøbing Castle
eight children , 25 August 1699

aged 53 , - ,
25 August 1699

12 October 1730
''()'' , Frederik den 4

Royal Arms of King Frederick IV of Denmark and Norway

, 11 October 1671

eldest son of

Christian V Christian V (15 April 1646 25 August 1699) was king of Denmark and Norway from 1670 until his death in 1699. Well-regarded by the common people, he was the first king anointed at Frederiksborg Castle chapel as absolute monarch since the dec ...

and Charlotte Amalie of Hesse-Kassel , (1)

Louise of Mecklenburg-Güstrow Louise of Mecklenburg-Güstrow (28 August 1667 – 15 March 1721) was Queen of Denmark and Norway as the first spouse of King Frederick IV of Denmark. In 1708–09, she was regent during her husband's trip to Italy. Early life Louise was born in ...

5 December 1695

five children
(2)

Elisabeth Helene von Vieregg Elisabeth Helene von Vieregg (4 May 1679 – 27 June 1704), Countess of Antvorskov, was a Danish noble and lady-in-waiting of German origin. She was the royal mistress of King Frederick IV of Denmark and, later, his first morganatic wife by biga ...

6 September 1703
one son
(3)

Anne Sophie Reventlow Anne Sophie von Reventlow ( da, Anna Sophie; 16 April 1693 – 7 January 1743) was Queen of Denmark and Norway from 1721 to 1730 as the second wife of Frederick IV of Denmark and Norway. Early life Countess Anna Sophie von Reventlow was born in ...

4 April 1721

three children , 12 October 1730
Odense Palace
aged 59 , - ,
12 October 1730

6 August 1746
''()'' , Christian VI, King of Denmark

Royal Arms of Denmark & Norway (1699–1819)

, 30 November 1699

second son of Frederick IV and

, Sophia Magdalene of Brandenburg-Kulmbach
7 August 1721
Pretzsch Castle
three children , 6 August 1746
Hirschholm Palace
aged 46 , - ,
6 August 1746

14 January 1766
''()'' , Pilo - Frederik V of Denmark

, 31 March 1723

only son of

Christian VI Christian VI (30 November 1699 – 6 August 1746) was King of Denmark and Norway from 1730 to 1746. The eldest surviving son of Frederick IV and Louise of Mecklenburg-Güstrow, he is considered one of Denmark-Norway's more anonymous kings, bu ...

and Sophia Magdalene of Brandenburg-Kulmbach , (1)

Louise of Great Britain Louise of Great Britain (originally Louisa; 1724 – 19 December 1751) was Queen of Denmark and Norway from 1746 until her death, as the first wife of King Frederick V. She was the youngest surviving daughter of King George II of Great Britain ...

11 December 1743
Altona
five children
(2) Juliana Maria of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel
8 July 1752
Frederiksborg Palace
one son , 14 January 1766

Christiansborg Palace Christiansborg Palace ( da, Christiansborg Slot; ) is a palace and government building on the islet of Slotsholmen in central Copenhagen, Denmark. It is the seat of the Danish Parliament ('), the Danish Prime Minister's Office, and the Supreme ...

aged 42 , - ,
14 January 1766

13 March 1808
''()'' , Christianviidenmark

, 29 January 1749

second son of Frederick V and

, Caroline Matilda of Great Britain
8 November 1766

two children , 13 March 1808

Rendsburg Rendsburg ( da, Rendsborg, also ''Rensborg'', nds, Rendsborg, also ''Rensborg'') is a town on the River Eider and the Kiel Canal in the central part of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. It is the capital of the ''Kreis'' (district) of Rendsburg-Eck ...

aged 59 , - ,
13 March 1808

3 December 1839
''()'' , Christoph Wilhelm Wohlien - Portræt af Frederik VI

Royal Coat of Arms of Denmark (1819-1903)

, 28 January 1768

only son of

Christian VII Christian VII (29 January 1749 – 13 March 1808) was a monarch of the House of Oldenburg who was King of Denmark–Norway and Duke of Duchy of Schleswig, Schleswig and Duchy of Holstein, Holstein from 1766 until his death in 1808. For his motto ...

and Caroline Matilda of Great Britain , Marie Sophie of Hesse-Kassel
31 July 1790

eight children , 3 December 1839

Amalienborg Palace Amalienborg () is the official residence for the Danish royal family, and is located in Copenhagen, Denmark. Queen Magrethe ll lives here in winter and autumn. It consists of four identical classical palace façades with rococo interiors arou ...

aged 71 , - ,
Christian Frederick
3 December 1839

20 January 1848
''()'' , Kong Christian d

, 18 September 1786

eldest son of Frederick, Hereditary Prince of Denmark and Sophia Frederica of Mecklenburg-Schwerin , (1) Charlotte Frederica of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
21 June 1806
Ludwigslust Castle
two sons
(2)

Caroline Amalie of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg Caroline Amalie of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg (28 June 1796 – 9 March 1881) was Queen of Denmark as the second spouse of King Christian VIII between 1839 and 1848. Life Early life Caroline Amalie was the daughter of Frederi ...

22 May 1815

Augustenborg Palace Augustenborg Palace (or Augustenborg Castle; da, Augustenborg Slot, german: Schloss Augustenburg) is a Rococo-style palace in the southwestern part of Augustenborg, Als Island, Denmark, overlooking Augustenborg Fjord. The palace owes its name t ...

no issue , 20 January 1848

aged 61 , - ,
Frederik Carl Christian
20 January 1848

15 November 1863
''()'' , Frederik VII af August Schiøtt

, 6 October 1808

second son of

Christian VIII Christian VIII (18 September 1786 – 20 January 1848) was King of Denmark from 1839 to 1848 and, as Christian Frederick, King of Norway in 1814. Christian Frederick was the eldest son of Hereditary Prince Frederick, a younger son of King Frederic ...

and Charlotte Frederica of Mecklenburg-Schwerin , (1)

Vilhelmine Marie of Denmark Princess Wilhelmine Marie of Denmark and Norway ( da, Vilhelmine af Danmark; german: Wilhelmine von Dänemark) (18 January 1808, Kiel, Duchy of Holstein – 30 May 1891 in Glücksburg, Province of Schleswig-Holstein, Schleswig-Holstein, Prussia, G ...

1 November 1828

no issue
(2) Caroline of Mecklenburg
10 June 1841
Neustrelitz
no issue
(3)

Louise Rasmussen Louise Christine Rasmussen, also known as ''Countess Danner'' (21 April 1815 – 6 March 1874), was a Danish ballet dancer and stage actor. She was the mistress and later the morganatic spouse of King Frederick VII of Denmark. She was not a queen ...

7 August 1850
Frederiksborg Palace
no issue , 15 November 1863

aged 55

House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg (since 1863)

, - ,
15 November 1863

29 January 1906
''()'' , Christian_IX_af_Henrik_Olrik

, 8 April 1818
Gottorf Castle

fourth son of

Friedrich Wilhelm, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg Friedrich Wilhelm, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg (german: Friedrich Wilhelm Paul Leopold; 4 January 1785 – 17 February 1831) inherited the title of Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Beck as Frederick William IV in 1816. H ...

and Princess Louise Caroline of Hesse-Kassel ,

Louise of Hesse-Kassel da, Louise Wilhelmine Frederikke Caroline Auguste Julie , succession = Queen consort of Denmark , image = Louise of Hesse-Kassel.jpg , reign = 15 November 1863 – 29 September 1898 , spouse = , issue = , house = ...

26 May 1842

six children , 29 January 1906

aged 87 , Great-grandson of King Frederick V and male-line descendant of King Christian III , , - ,
Christian Frederik Vilhelm Carl
29 January 1906

14 May 1912
''()'' , Otto Bache - Portræt af Frederik VIII - 1909

Otto Bache - Portræt af Frederik VIII - 1909

Royal Coat of Arms of Denmark (1903-1948)

, 3 June 1843
Yellow Palace

eldest son of

Christian IX Christian IX (8 April 181829 January 1906) was King of Denmark from 1863 until his death in 1906. From 1863 to 1864, he was concurrently Duke of Schleswig, Holstein and Lauenburg. A younger son of Frederick William, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein ...

and

Louise of Sweden Louise Josephine Eugenie of Sweden ( sv, Lovisa Josefina Eugenia; 31 October 1851 – 20 March 1926) was Queen of Denmark from 1906 until 1912 as the spouse of King Frederick VIII. Born into the House of Bernadotte, Louise was the only surviv ...

28 July 1869

Stockholm Stockholm () is the capital and largest city of Sweden as well as the largest urban area in Scandinavia. Approximately 980,000 people live in the municipality, with 1.6 million in the urban area, and 2.4 million in the metropo ...

eight children , 14 May 1912
Jungfernstieg,

Hamburg Hamburg (, ; nds, label=Hamburg German, Low Saxon, Hamborg ), officially the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg (german: Freie und Hansestadt Hamburg; nds, label=Low Saxon, Friee un Hansestadt Hamborg),. is the List of cities in Germany by popul ...

aged 68 , Son of King Christian IX , , - ,
Christian Carl Frederik Albert Alexander Vilhelm
14 May 1912

20 April 1947
''()'' , King Christian X of Denmark - Knud Larsen

King Christian X of Denmark - Knud Larsen

, 26 September 1870
Charlottenlund Palace

eldest son of Frederick VIII and

, Alexandrine of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
26 April 1898

Cannes Cannes ( , , ; oc, Canas) is a city located on the French Riviera. It is a commune located in the Alpes-Maritimes department, and host city of the annual Cannes Film Festival, Midem, and Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. The ...

two sons , 20 April 1947

aged 76 , Son of King Frederick VIII , , - ,
Christian Frederik Franz Michael Carl Valdemar Georg
20 April 1947

14 January 1972
''()'' , Frederik IX (cropped) - Det Kongelige Bibliotek (KE062449)

Frederik IX (cropped) - Det Kongelige Bibliotek (KE062449)

Royal Coat of Arms of Denmark (1948-1972)

, 11 March 1899

Sorgenfri Palace Sorgenfri Palace ( da, Sorgenfri Slot; lit. "Sorrow free", a direct calque of Sans Souci) is a royal residence of the Danish monarch, located in Lyngby-Taarbæk Municipality, on the east side of Lyngby Kongevej, in the northern suburbs of Copenh ...

eldest son of

Christian X Christian X ( da, Christian Carl Frederik Albert Alexander Vilhelm; 26 September 1870 – 20 April 1947) was King of Denmark from 1912 to his death in 1947, and the only King of Iceland as Kristján X, in the form of a personal union rather ...

and Alexandrine of Mecklenburg-Schwerin ,

Ingrid of Sweden Ingrid of Sweden (born: Princess Ingrid Victoria Sofia Louise Margareta of Sweden; 28 March 1910 – 7 November 2000) was Queen of Denmark from 1947 until 1972 as the wife of King Frederick IX. Born into the House of Bernadotte, she was the dau ...

24 May 1935
Storkyrkan Cathedral,

three daughters , 14 January 1972

aged 72 , Son of King Christian X , , - ,
Margrethe Alexandrine Þórhildur Ingrid
14 January 1972

Present
''()'' , Drottning Margrethe av Danmark

, 16 April 1940

eldest daughter of Frederick IX and

, Henri de Laborde de Monpezat
10 June 1967
Holmen Church,

two sons , Incumbent
Age , Daughter of

King Frederick IX Frederick IX ( da, Christian Frederik Franz Michael Carl Valdemar Georg; 11 March 1899 – 14 January 1972) was King of Denmark from 1947 to 1972. Born into the House of Glücksburg, Frederick was the elder son of King Christian X and Que ...

Timeline of Danish monarchs

ImageSize=width:1250 height:auto barincrement:12 PlotArea=top:10 bottom:30 right:130 left:20 AlignBars=justify DateFormat=yyyy Period=from:940 till:2021 TimeAxis=orientation:horizontal ScaleMajor=unit:year increment:100 start:950 ScaleMinor=unit:year increment:25 start:950 Colors= id:canvas value:rgb(1,1,1) id:al value:yellow id:du value:green id:fa value:rgb(1,0.5,0.5) id:ba value:red id:br value:rgb(0.5,0.5,1) id:sw value:rgb(0.85,0.35,0) id:su value:orange id:cw value:rgb(0.8,0.8,0.8) id:eon value:Black Backgroundcolors=canvas:canvas BarData= barset:Rulers bar:eon PlotData= align:center textcolor:black fontsize:8 mark:(line,black) width:25 shift:(0,-5) bar:eon color:eon from: 940 till: 1042 color: al text: Gorm from: 1042 till: 1047 color: du text: Fairhair from: 1047 till: 1375 color: fa text: Estridsen from: 1376 till: 1387 color: ba text: Bjelbo from: 1387 till: 1412 color: fa text: Estridsen from: 1396 till: 1439 color: br text:

Pomerania Pomerania ( pl, Pomorze; german: Pommern; Kashubian: ''Pòmòrskô''; sv, Pommern) is a historical region on the southern shore of the Baltic Sea in Central Europe, split between Poland and Germany. The western part of Pomerania belongs to ...

from: 1440 till: 1448 color: cw text: Palatinate-Neumarkt from: 1448 till: 1863 color: sw text: Oldenburg from: 1863 till: 2021 color: su text: Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg width:5 align:left fontsize:S shift:(5,-4) anchor:till barset:Rulers from: 940 till: 964 color:al text: Gorm the Old from: 964 till: 985 color:al text: Harald I Bluetooth from: 986 till: 1014 color:al text:

Sweyn I Forkbeard Sweyn Forkbeard ( non, Sveinn Haraldsson tjúguskegg ; da, Svend Tveskæg; 17 April 963 – 3 February 1014) was King of Denmark from 986 to 1014, also at times King of the English and King of Norway. He was the father of King Harald II of De ...

from: 1014 till: 1018 color:al text: Harald II Svendsen from: 1018 till: 1035 color:al text:

Cnut the Great Cnut (; ang, Cnut cyning; non, Knútr inn ríki ; or , no, Knut den mektige, sv, Knut den Store. died 12 November 1035), also known as Cnut the Great and Canute, was King of England from 1016, King of Denmark from 1018, and King of Norw ...

from: 1035 till: 1042 color:al text:

from: 1042 till: 1047 color:du text:

Magnus the Good Magnus Olafsson (Old Norse: ''Magnús Óláfsson''; Norwegian and Danish: ''Magnus Olavsson''; – 25 October 1047), better known as Magnus the Good (Old Norse: ''Magnús góði'', Norwegian and Danish: ''Magnus den gode''), was King of Norwa ...

from: 1047 till: 1076 color:fa text: Sweyn II Estridsson from: 1076 till: 1080 color:fa text: Harald III the Soft from: 1080 till: 1086 color:fa text: Canute IV the Holy from: 1086 till: 1095 color:fa text: Olaf I Hunger from: 1095 till: 1103 color:fa text: Eric I Evergood from: 1104 till: 1134 color:fa text:

Niels Niels is a male given name, equivalent to Nicholas, which is common in Denmark, Belgium, Norway (formerly) and the Netherlands. The Norwegian and Swedish variant is Nils. The name is a developed short form of Nicholas or Greek Nicolaos after Saint ...

from: 1134 till: 1137 color:fa text: Eric II the Memorable from: 1137 till: 1146 color:fa text: Eric III Lamb from: 1146 till: 1157 color:fa text: Sweyn III Grathe from: 1146 till: 1157 color:fa text: Canute V from: 1154 till: 1182 color:fa text: Valdemar I the Great from: 1170 till: 1202 color:fa text:

Canute VI Canute VI (; c. 1163 – 12 November 1202) was King of Denmark (1182–1202). Contemporary sources describe Canute as an earnest, strongly religious man. Background Canute VI was the eldest son of King Valdemar I and Sophia of Polotsk. H ...

from: 1202 till: 1241 color:fa text: Valdemar II the Victorious from: 1215 till: 1231 color:fa text:

Valdemar the Young Valdemar the Young () ( – 28 November 1231) was a Junior King of Denmark from 1215 until his death. Valdemar was the eldest son and co-ruler of King Valdemar II of Denmark by his first wife, Dagmar of Bohemia. He did not outlive his father so ...

from: 1232 till: 1250 color:fa text: Eric IV Ploughpenny from: 1250 till: 1252 color:fa text:

Abel Abel ''Hábel''; ar, هابيل, Hābīl is a Biblical figure in the Book of Genesis within Abrahamic religions. He was the younger brother of Cain, and the younger son of Adam and Eve, the first couple in Biblical history. He was a shepherd ...

from: 1252 till: 1259 color:fa text:

Christopher I Christopher I may refer to: * Christopher I of Armenia, the Catholicos of Armenia 539 to 545 * Patriarch Christopher I of Alexandria, ruled in 817–841 * Christopher I of Denmark (1219–1259), King of Denmark from 1252 to 1259 * Christopher I, Ma ...

from: 1259 till: 1286 color:fa text: Eric V Klipping from: 1286 till: 1319 color:fa text: Eric VI Menved from: 1320 till: 1326 color:fa text: Christopher II from: 1321 till: 1326 color:fa text: Erik Christoffersen from: 1326 till: 1329 color:fa text:

Valdemar III Valdemar III (1314–1364) was King of Denmark from 1326 to 1329, while he was underage; he was also Duke of Schleswig as Valdemar V in 1325–26 and from 1330 to 1364. He was a rival king set up against the unsuccessful Christopher II and was wi ...

from: 1329 till: 1332 color:fa text: Christopher II (restored) from: 1329 till: 1331 color:fa text: Erik Christoffersen (restored) from: 1332 till: 1340 color:fa text:Interregnum from: 1340 till: 1375 color:fa text: Valdemar IV Atterdag from: 1376 till: 1387 color:ba text: Olaf II from: 1376 till: 1412 color:fa text:

Margrethe I Margaret I ( da, Margrete Valdemarsdatter; March 1353 – 28 October 1412) was ruler of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden (which included Finland) from the late 1380s until her death, and the founder of the Kalmar Union that joined the Scandinav ...

from: 1396 till: 1439 color:br text: Eric VII from: 1440 till: 1448 color:cw text:

Christopher III Christopher of Bavaria (26 February 1416 – 5/6 January 1448) was King of Denmark (1440–48, as Christopher III), Sweden (1441–48) and Norway (1442–48) during the era of the Kalmar Union. Biography Coming to power He was the son of John, ...

from: 1448 till: 1481 color:sw text: Christian I from: 1481 till: 1513 color:sw text:

from: 1513 till: 1523 color:sw text: Christian II from: 1523 till: 1533 color:sw text:

from: 1533 till: 1534 color:sw text:Interregnum from: 1534 till: 1559 color:sw text: Christian III from: 1559 till: 1588 color:sw text: Frederick II from: 1588 till: 1648 color:sw text: Christian IV from: 1648 till: 1670 color:sw text: Frederick III from: 1670 till: 1699 color:sw text:

from: 1699 till: 1730 color:sw text: Frederick IV from: 1730 till: 1746 color:sw text:

from: 1746 till: 1766 color:sw text: Frederick V from: 1766 till: 1808 color:sw text:

from: 1784 till: 1808 color:sw text: Frederick VI (as regent) from: 1808 till: 1839 color:sw text: Frederick VI from: 1839 till: 1848 color:sw text:

from: 1848 till: 1863 color:sw text: Frederick VII from: 1863 till: 1906 color:su text:

from: 1906 till: 1912 color:su text: Frederick VIII from: 1912 till: 1947 color:su text:

from: 1947 till: 1972 color:su text: Frederick IX from: 1972 till: 2021 color:su text:

Margrethe II Margrethe II (; Margrethe Alexandrine Þórhildur Ingrid, born 16 April 1940) is Queen of Denmark. Having reigned as Denmark's monarch for over 50 years, she is Europe's longest-serving current head of state and the world's only incumbent femal ...

barset:skip

Pre-''
House of Knýtlinga The Danish House of Knýtlinga ( English: "House of Cnut's Descendants") was a ruling royal house in Middle Age Scandinavia and England. Its most famous king was Cnut the Great, who gave his name to this dynasty. Other notable members were Cn ...
'' Danish monarchs

Semi-legendary kings

List of monarchs of Denmark

House of Gorm A house is a single-unit residential building. It may range in complexity from a rudimentary hut to a complex structure of wood, masonry, concrete or other material, outfitted with plumbing, electrical, and heating, ventilation, and air c ...
(c. 936–1042)

House of Fairhair (1042–1047)

House of Estridsen (1047–1375)

House of Bjelbo The House of Bjelbo ( sv, Bjälboätten), also known as the House of Folkung (''Folkungaätten''), was an Ostrogothian Swedish family that provided several medieval Swedish bishops, jarls and kings. It also provided three kings of Norway and o ...
(1376–1387)

House of Estridsen (1387–1412)

House of Pomerania The House of Griffin or Griffin dynasty (german: Greifen; pl, Gryfici, da, Grif) was a dynasty ruling the Duchy of Pomerania from the 12th century until 1637. The name "Griffins" was used by the dynasty after the 15th century and had been tak ...
(1396–1439)

House of Palatinate-Neumarkt (1440–1448)

House of Oldenburg The House of Oldenburg is a German dynasty with links to Denmark since the 15th century. It has branches that rule or have ruled in Denmark, Iceland, Greece, Norway, Russia, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Schleswig, Holstein, and Oldenburg. The cu ...
(1448–1863)

House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg (since 1863)

Timeline of Danish monarchs

See also

Notes

Further reading

Pre-''House of Knýtlinga The Danish House of Knýtlinga ( English: "House of Cnut's Descendants") was a ruling royal house in Middle Age Scandinavia and England. Its most famous king was Cnut the Great, who gave his name to this dynasty. Other notable members were Cn ...'' Danish monarchs

Semi-legendary kings

List of monarchs of Denmark

House of Gorm A house is a single-unit residential building. It may range in complexity from a rudimentary hut to a complex structure of wood, masonry, concrete or other material, outfitted with plumbing, electrical, and heating, ventilation, and air c ... (c. 936–1042)

House of Fairhair (1042–1047)

House of Estridsen (1047–1375)

House of Bjelbo The House of Bjelbo ( sv, Bjälboätten), also known as the House of Folkung (''Folkungaätten''), was an Ostrogothian Swedish family that provided several medieval Swedish bishops, jarls and kings. It also provided three kings of Norway and o ... (1376–1387)

House of Estridsen (1387–1412)

House of Pomerania The House of Griffin or Griffin dynasty (german: Greifen; pl, Gryfici, da, Grif) was a dynasty ruling the Duchy of Pomerania from the 12th century until 1637. The name "Griffins" was used by the dynasty after the 15th century and had been tak ... (1396–1439)

House of Palatinate-Neumarkt (1440–1448)

House of Oldenburg The House of Oldenburg is a German dynasty with links to Denmark since the 15th century. It has branches that rule or have ruled in Denmark, Iceland, Greece, Norway, Russia, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Schleswig, Holstein, and Oldenburg. The cu ... (1448–1863)

House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg (since 1863)

Timeline of Danish monarchs

See also

Notes

Further reading

Pre-''
House of Knýtlinga The Danish House of Knýtlinga ( English: "House of Cnut's Descendants") was a ruling royal house in Middle Age Scandinavia and England. Its most famous king was Cnut the Great, who gave his name to this dynasty. Other notable members were Cn ...
'' Danish monarchs

House of Gorm A house is a single-unit residential building. It may range in complexity from a rudimentary hut to a complex structure of wood, masonry, concrete or other material, outfitted with plumbing, electrical, and heating, ventilation, and air c ...
(c. 936–1042)

House of Bjelbo The House of Bjelbo ( sv, Bjälboätten), also known as the House of Folkung (''Folkungaätten''), was an Ostrogothian Swedish family that provided several medieval Swedish bishops, jarls and kings. It also provided three kings of Norway and o ...
(1376–1387)

House of Pomerania The House of Griffin or Griffin dynasty (german: Greifen; pl, Gryfici, da, Grif) was a dynasty ruling the Duchy of Pomerania from the 12th century until 1637. The name "Griffins" was used by the dynasty after the 15th century and had been tak ...
(1396–1439)

House of Oldenburg The House of Oldenburg is a German dynasty with links to Denmark since the 15th century. It has branches that rule or have ruled in Denmark, Iceland, Greece, Norway, Russia, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Schleswig, Holstein, and Oldenburg. The cu ...
(1448–1863)