King Frederik had his eyes on the skies this week, taking in a rare celestial event from one of Copenhagen’s most historic vantage points while Queen Mary continued her royal duties abroad.
The Danish monarch visited the iconic Round Tower in Copenhagen, where he watched the solar eclipse and officially reopened the landmark’s historic observatory following an extensive restoration.
Photos shared by the Danish Royal House captured Frederik smiling as he donned special eclipse glasses on the rooftop, with the Copenhagen skyline stretching out behind him. Inside the observatory, the King also peered through its newly restored telescope for a closer look at the skies.
The Royal House even gave the outing a playful soundtrack, sharing footage of Frederik at the observatory to David Bowie’s “Starman.”
A centuries-old royal connection:
Frederik’s visit also had a deeper connection to the Danish monarchy.
© KongehusetAccording to the Royal House, the observatory’s iconic dome and telescope, which dates back to 1929, have undergone an extensive restoration over the past six months. Frederik reopened the observatory dome during his visit and had the opportunity to use the restored telescope.
The Round Tower itself dates back much further. The Copenhagen landmark was built on the initiative of King Christian IV in 1642 and, according to the palace, remains Europe’s oldest functioning observatory building.
© KongehusetQueen Mary joins a future queen in Germany:
While Frederik was looking to the skies back home, Queen Mary was carrying out a very different engagement in Germany.
© ShutterstockThe Danish Queen attended the opening of the 2026 FEI World Championships in Aachen, where she was seen alongside Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands, heir to the Dutch throne.
Mary stepped out in a chic polka-dot dress for the occasion, while the future queen complemented her in an elegant white and emerald green ensemble.
© ANP/ShutterstockThe two royals appeared in high spirits during the equestrian event, making for a notable meeting between Denmark’s current Queen and the woman expected to one day become Queen of the Netherlands.
Their appearance came as members of Europe’s royal families spread out across the continent for a busy week of engagements, with Mary representing Denmark in Germany as her husband marked the rare astronomical event in Copenhagen.
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