Instagram/ Kongehuest
Crown Prince Christian of Denmark has found love with a new girlfriend.
His father, King Frederik X, found his perfect match in Mary Donaldson across the other side of the world at Sydney’s Slip Inn.
But breaking with Danish tradition, their eldest child has found love much closer to home.
Christian, 19, is dating fellow Dane Emma Nygaard Fritzen.
Who is Emma Nygaard?
Not an aristocrat like his ex, Princess Maria Chiara of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Christian and Emma met at school. Both graduated from Ordrup Gymnasium in 2024.
The couple took their relationship public when they shared a passionate kiss in August 2025 at the Smukfest music festival.
In a snap on Instagram, Emma clasped her Prince Charming with both hands as she pulled him in for a smooch.
Queen Mary kept quiet on the subject when she was asked to comment in August 2025.
While attending the opening of a new youth mental health counselling centre, Headspace, in Tårnby.
“Your Majesty, what do you think of the Crown Prince’s Emma?” a reporter called out to Mary – who just smiled and waved.
After completing school, Christian took a few months off and spent time in Africa before commencing training in the military. Emma, 20, is believed to have undertaken tertiary studies, including spending some time at the University of Sydney.
How long has Crown Prince Christian been dating his girlfriend?
Reports suggest they’ve been seeing each other for up to a year.
The pair discreetly vacationed together with friends over the European summer in Ibiza.
They were also spotted holidaying in Cannes last year.
So their sweet public smooch could be a sign of how serious things are getting.
Emma also scored a highly coveted invite to Christian’s sister Princess Isabella’s 18th birthday celebrations in April 2025.
While Mary, 53, might be staying mum, Emma’s inclusion at the exclusive soiree hints that the romance already has the approval of the King and Queen.
“It is a different ruler today than it was when King Frederik was young,” Danish royal expert Lars Hovbakke Sørensen told the local SE og HØR magazine.
“So one could imagine that she might be invited home sooner than was the case with Queen Margrethe.”
Are Danish royals allowed to date people from Denmark?
After centuries of Denmark’s heirs finding spouses abroad in order to build strategic and political alliances with foreign countries, it is expected Christian will be able to follow his heart.
This is unlike his father who wasn’t able to wed his first love, Katja Storkholm, thanks to her being Danish.
“The main thing here is that the new royal couple are more willing to accept different lovers – and to accept that they come home with them,” Sørensen said.
The last few months have seen a marked change in Christian, who was once known for his partying ways.
The prince completed his compulsory military service training in May. Afterwards, he decided to forge ahead with a career in the army, and he recently started a one-year lieutenant training program at Antvorskov Barracks in Slagelse.
It is believed Christian loves that he is treated just like everyone else there while he is on the base. His father joined the navy as a diver for the same reason.
So for now, any free time or weekends off Christian gets are spent with his girlfriend, rather than hitting the clubs.
It certainly seems that the army – and Emma – have been the making of this prince.
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