The start of a new year is ripe with fresh intentions and promises to break old habits – and the Danish royal family is no different.

But, like so many well‑meaning resolutions, plenty are destined to quickly fall by the wayside.

King Frederik X of Denmark farewelled 2025 with an inspiring and insightful New Year’s Eve address.

The prestigious annual address is a fixture on the Danish royal calendar, giving the monarch a chance to reflect on the past year and outline the royal family’s focus for the one ahead.

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For King Frederik, 57, this was only his second time delivering the keynote address since ascending the throne in 2024, following the abdication of his octogenarian mother, Queen Margrethe II.

Frederik’s speech, which you can read in full herewas rich with heartfelt sentiment

Its overarching theme reflected on life’s contrasts – joy and sorrow, change and continuity.

Frederik began by reflecting on his children growing up to illustrate the passage of time, before shifting to global challenges – citing unrest and wars, and emphasising the importance of freedom, peace and solidarity in Europe.

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But perhaps the highlight was the King’s praise for Denmark and its citizens – citing their unity, resilience and strong sense of community. His parting message urged Danes to stay informed and courageous amid uncertainty, offering hope for the future.

All in all, it was a speech that projected a big‑picture mentality – the kind delivered by a committed and dedicated leader. Local Danish publications quickly branded his words ‘powerful’.

Online news source The Danish Dream surmised: ‘It was both a chance to thank citizens and to signal what type of leader he aims to be. Observers noted a calm, steady tone focused on humility and responsibility rather than grandeur.’

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This warm reception was a far cry from some of the recent treatment Frederik has received in his home-country press.

In 2025, Frederik’s frequent private breaks from royal duties attracted rolling coverage toward the end of the year.

Local publications like Ekstra Bladet even began publishing a running tally of Frederik’s days off.

It didn’t help that Frederik had long signposted his penchant for personal breaks – referring to them as ‘timeouts’.

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Frederik first coined the phrase in his 2024 biography King’s Words, and used it to foreshadow his desire to maintain a private life alongside his public responsibilities.

Perhaps his New Year’s speech was the first hint of a fresher, committed approach to leadership. Or perhaps not.

Hopes for a focused monarch in 2026 hit their first speed bump just a day later – with criticism from an unlikely source.

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On January 2, Danish outlet BT reported that King Frederik had swerved one of his first anticipated engagements,skipping the Sport 2025 televised awards ceremony in Herning that was scheduled to take place the following day.

Last year, the King even handed out several awards at the ceremony known locally as the ‘greatest sporting event’ in Denmark.

A reporter had asked the Royal House whether Frederik would attend and participate, as he usually does. In response, a spokesperson referred BT to the King’s calendar which, sure enough, showed no events scheduled for Saturday, January 3.

Already, it seemed Frederik was disappointing royal fans by not being on hand for his expected duties. For a man with a reputation for being workshy, it’s not a good look.

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Rather than cop it on the chin quietly, BT’s sports editor Lasse Vøge decided to speak up.

‘The King probably has a good reason not to come to Herning,’ Vøge wrote.

‘But for the show and the sport, it is sad and disappointing that the tradition is not being maintained. We will certainly miss the stardust that royal participation throws over the sports festival on Saturday.’

And Vøge had a suggestion for future years: Frederik should send his son instead, who clearly has a greater interest in sport.

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‘Let’s hope the King is back next year. Or maybe he passes the task on to Crown Prince Christian, who is also crazy about sports.’

But the critiques of Frederik’s 2026 reign didn’t stop there – and we’re barely a week in.

Each January, the royal couple open the doors of Christiansborg Palace to host several parties to ring in the new year.

The Royal House publishes the guest list for these soirées and cites the organisations whose representatives have been invited.

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Christoph Ellersgaard, an associate professor and sociologist specialising in the elites, scrutinised this year’s guest list and was not impressed.

He argued that an invitation to the annual royal soirée signals which organisations are deemed most important in Denmark.

As reported by Ekstra Bladet, Ellersgaard pointed out that this year’s list featured representatives from at least 19 businesses, but only two trade unions.

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In his view, the event was heavily stacked with employers and upper-class citizens, while working-class representation was notably thin.

‘It gives a distorted picture of Denmark,’ Ellersgaard explained.

‘Because in reality there are far employees than employers. But still, there are nine times as many employer representatives as employee representatives.’

The Royal House’s communications team responded by saying they had consulted stakeholders in the process of curating the guest list, including all ministries, but that ultimately the final decision was made by the royal couple themselves.

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Such an ‘elitist’ list is curious given thatthe Royal House had flagged back in September that they were revamping their traditional New Year’s celebrations, seeking to do away with old hierarchies and expand the guests to include organisations and educational institutions that better reflect modern Denmark.

And yet, the professor’s critique suggests the list the royal couple ultimately approved was elite in character – and decidedly less representative of ordinary Danes.

Ultimately, it’s not a great look for a monarch: workshy and a snob. The same old reputation he and other royals across Europe are keen to brush off.

It also appears notably out of step with the image Queen Mary has so actively and positively projected as a leader who is accessible to the people.

Only a week into 2026 and, in some ways, it seems the wheels may be falling off the King’s New Year’s resolution wagon.

Skipping expected royal engagements without explanation has echoes of last year’s antics. And preferring to schmooze on NYE with the Who’s Who, rather than the masses, is simply not the vibe.

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But it’s not too late to correct course. Frederik need only look to his wife…