Christian X King of Denmark (Denmark), reigned from 1912 to 1947 Date of Birth: 26.09.1870 Country: Denmark

Biography of Christian X

Christian Carl Frederik Albert Alexander Vilhelm, the eldest son of Crown Prince Frederick and his wife Louise of Sweden, was born on September 26, 1870, at Charlottenlund Palace near Copenhagen. He was christened on October 31, 1870, at the chapel of Christiansborg Palace. On April 26, 1898, Christian married Alexandrine of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, the daughter of Frederick Francis III, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, and Anastasia Mikhailovna of Russia, the first cousin of the Russian Emperor. Alexandrine later became the queen consort. They had two children, Prince Frederick, who would become King Frederick IX, and Prince Knud. Christian and Alexandrine resided at Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen.
Reign and Symbol of Resistance

On May 14, 1912, Christian inherited the throne under the name Christian X after the death of his father, King Frederick VIII. He was also known for his impressive height - 199 cm. Unlike his brother, King Haakon VII of Norway, who was forced to flee during the Nazi occupation of his country for refusing to play the role of a Nazi puppet, Christian X remained in the capital throughout the Danish occupation, becoming a symbol of moral resistance for the Danish people. During the first two years of the occupation, despite his age and poor health, Christian would ride his horse through Copenhagen daily, unaccompanied by guards (after falling from his horse on October 19, 1942, Christian could no longer continue these rides). Most Danes regarded their king as a symbol of national independence and would greet him on the streets, expressing their gratitude and love. In 1942, Hitler congratulated the king on his 72nd birthday with a lengthy telegram, to which Christian replied with just three words: 'Thank you. King K.', which greatly angered Hitler. He immediately recalled his ambassador from Copenhagen and expelled the Danish ambassador from Germany. However, even the semblance of Danish independence came to an end after the Nazi coup in August 1943.
The Legend of Resistance

Christian X is associated with the legend that when the Nazi authorities in Denmark ordered the deportation of Jews and the wearing of yellow star of David badges, the king declared the following day that there were no Jews in Denmark - only Danes - and appeared wearing the same star. Many Danes followed his example, leaving the Nazis with no choice but to either kill all of them or leave them in peace. This story became well-known thanks to Leon Uris' book 'Exodus' and the subsequent film. In reality, there was no order to wear the yellow star, and Jews were still being arrested. However, during a conversation with one of his ministers, the king did remark that if the German administration introduced the insignia for the Jewish population, then 'perhaps we should all wear them'. Christian X passed away on April 20, 1947, at Amalienborg Palace and was buried alongside other members of the Danish royal family in Roskilde Cathedral.