Frederik X publishes surprise book ‘Kongeord’ 3 days after becoming Denmark’s King

The 55-year-old King Frederik X officially ascended the throne on Sunday amid great fanfare, as people gathered to watch the historic event in Copenhagen and elsewhere. If those events weren’t monumental enough, just three days after becoming king, Frederik published a surprise book on Wednesday.

In the 110-page manifesto, titled Kongeord which means “The King’s Word,” the monarch shares his thoughts on his new role, on Denmark’s place in the world as well as his marriage to Australian-born wife Queen Mary.

The book, co-authored by Jens Andersen, who wrote Frederik’s 2017 biography, also shares the king’s vision for his new role. 

Given that news about the monarchy is at the top of mind for Danes, the book has been selling at blistering speed in the country.

In just a day, Kongeord has outsold 2023’s bestselling book, a leading Danish bookstore Saxo told Fortune. The store said there were points in the day when it sold 25 copies of the book a minute.

“[Wednesday] was certainly one for the books and a record-breaking day at Saxo.com. Our sales numbers turned four digits during its first hours on sale,” a spokesperson for the bookstore told Fortune.

“We have never sold as many copies of a book on the day of its publication as we did yesterday. I am almost certain that this will be the bestselling book in 2024.”

Excerpts from the book

Even if it’s just been a day, media outlets have also divulged several book excerpts in which Frederik talks about wanting to be a regular person. 

“I remember my 18th birthday as something similar to the end of the world. It was the feeling that now everything that was fun and…