New portrait of King Frederik X sparks backlash in Denmark
A newly unveiled official portrait of Denmark's King Frederik X has drawn widespread criticism on social media, with many saying the painting barely resembles the monarch. It is the first painted portrait of the king since he ascended the throne in 2024.
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A new official portrait of Denmark's King Frederik X, unveiled on September 25, has triggered a wave of reactions on social media, with many users criticizing how the king's face, particularly his nose, is depicted in the painting.
Numerous comments online express surprise and dissatisfaction, with some users claiming the figure in the portrait is barely recognizable as the king. Others have gone as far as to say the painting doesn't resemble the monarch at all.
Opinions divided
Not all reactions have been negative. A portion of the Danish public has praised the portrait as a bold and artistically interesting interpretation. This has created a clear divide between those who see the work as an original artistic approach and those who feel it fails to match the traditional expectations of a royal portrait.
First portrait of the new reign
The painting carries particular significance as the first painted portrait of the king since he took the throne in 2024. This makes it one of the earliest official artistic depictions of the new monarch, intensifying public discussion around its appearance.
It is not yet known whether representatives of the royal court or the king himself will publicly respond to the criticism circulating on social media.
