Royal Guests and Relatives gathered from around Europe for the Funeral of King Christian IX of Denmark, the ‘Father-in-Law of Europe’, at Roskilde Cathedral on this day in 1906, 120 years ago, following a Procession from Christiansborg Palace.
Following the death of King Christian IX at Amalienborg Palace, his coffin was placed in the Palace for one week before being moved to the Royal Chapel at Christiansborg Palace for a 10-day Castrum Doloris (Lying in State).
On February 16th, the coffin transported from Christiansborg Palace in a grand funeral procession escorted by royal guards, marines, and cavalry to the Copenhagen Central Station, being taken to Roskilde Cathedral for the Funeral.
Royal Guests and Relatives were led by the King’s children: King Frederick VIII of Denmark, Queen Alexandra of the United Kingdom, King George I of Greece, Empress Maria Feodorovna of Russia, Crown Princess Thyra of Hannover and Prince Valdemar of Denmark, as well as King Haakon VII of Norway and Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany.
The programme features interviews with many royals, including Queen Margrethe, Crown Prince Frederik, and Prince Joachim of Denmark, King Constantine II and Queen Anne-Marie of Greece, Grand Duchess Joséphine Charlotte of Luxembourg, King Harald, Queen Sonja, and Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, King Michael, Queen Anne, and Crown Princess Margarita of Romania, Crown Prince Alexander of Yugoslavia, Prince Michael of Kent, Princess Benedikte, Prince Michael of Greece, and the Duke of Aosta.
The Father-In-Law of Europe
The first episode features the extraordinary life to the throne of King Christian IX of Denmark and Queen Louise alongside the life of their contemporaries Tsar Alexander III of Russia and Queen Victoria. The Danish King and Queen hosted their children, in-laws and grandchildren at Fredensborg Palace and Bernstorff Palace every summer, forming close bonds between the different dynasties that continue to this day.
The Family Expands – Denmark, Norway, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Sweden
The next episode features the eldest son, King Frederick VIII of Denmark, whose own children became King Christian X of Denmark, King Haakon VII of Norway, and Princess Ingeborg of Sweden, through whom he was the grandfather of Queen Astrid of Belgium, whose own daughter became Grand Duchess Joséphine Charlotte of Luxembourg.
The Heirs to an Empire – British Royal Family
Queen Alexandra of the United Kingdom, the elder daughter of King Christian IX of Denmark and Queen Louise, is the focus of the third episode, and her descendants in the British Royal Family.
Love and Revolution – Russian Royal Family
The second daughter, Empress Maria Feodorovna of Russia, retained close ties to the Danish Royal Family throughout her life, including her exile, which was spent mainly in Denmark.
Shaky Thrones – Greece, Romania, Yugoslavia & Spain
The second son, King George I of Greece, was appointed the King of Greece and his descendants spread to Thrones around Europe, among them Queen Helen of Romania, Queen Alexandra of Yugoslavia, the Duke of Edinburgh, and Queen Sofia of Spain.
Uncrowned Marriages
The final episode examines the lives of Crown Princess Thyra of Hannover and Prince Valdemar of Denmark, the two children who were not crowned but whose descendants gave continued to be prominent through Europe.
Queen Alexandra’s Kokoshnik Tiara
Queen Alexandra’s Wedding Parure
Diamond Circlet
Diamond Rivière
Cartier Collier Résille
Empress Maria Feodorovna’s Pearl Wave Tiara
Empress Maria Feodorovna’s Pearl Brooch
Russian Imperial Diamond Necklace
Maria Feodorovna’s Sapphire Bandeau
Russian Sapphire Cluster Brooch
Danish Pearl Poiré Tiara
Queen Josefina’s Diamond Tiara
Diamond Floral Tiara
Orléans Opal Tiara