Prince Frederik, 1852

Prince Frederik (VIII) portrayed in 1852 by Elisabeth Jerichau-Baumann. This was the year when it was decided that his father, Prince Christian (IX), should inherit the throne after the childless Frederik VII.

It was natural to have a portrait made of their eldest son, the nine-year-old future crown prince, on this occasion. At the time many people, not least Frederik VII, thought that the line of succession ought to pass directly to Prince Frederik, but instead he ended up spending 43 years as Crown Prince, after his father had ascended the throne in 1863.