The expert noticed a well-thought-out solution in Frederik’s speech, which was also made by Tarja Halonen

King Frederik did not mention God or religion in his first speech. It is the first time in Denmark in more than 175 years that God was not mentioned in a speech given by the monarch.

Finnish royal expert Sanna-Mari Hovi states to Iltalehti that including God and mentioning God in speech has been a tradition for a long time in many courts.

– I would think that sometimes such traditions should be renewed. Denmark is also quite a multicultural country, there are many kinds of people and Frederik wants to be the king of the whole kingdom. Maybe then God’s blessing is not the thing that matters to everyone. For others, God can also be a negative thing, Hovi tells Iltalehte.

– I think Frederik is now taking all of Denmark into account and also those secular people who do not need God’s blessing. I don’t think that he has forgotten that from his speech, but yes, he has deliberately decided this way. The speech is now suitable for everyone.

According to the expert, religion and Hovi are strongly connected, because the ruler is perceived to be God’s intermediary on earth and the head of the state thus carries out God’s will in the kingdom.

King Frederik belongs to the People’s Church of Denmark and thus he is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.

– Today, however, not everyone thinks that the royals are God’s messengers. I bet this is also the case in Denmark. It can also be refreshing to break away from it, Hovi describes.

The expert compares the situation to Finland.

– If you think about the New Year’s speech of the President of the Republic of Finland, it also has God’s blessing, which Sauli Niinistö stated, while Tarja Halonen did not. Maybe it’s also some kind of school mood, Hovi sums up.