The first Danish state visit to France in nearly 50 years focuses on strengthening European sovereignty, security, and strategic economic ties.
Against the backdrop of a shifting global order, Denmark’s King Frederik X and Queen Mary were received with full honors by French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron on monday. The setting — the historically symbolic Les Invalides military complex — underscored the seriousness of the visit, whose central theme is “a more resilient Europe.”
This three-day state visit marks the first of its kind since 1978 and reflects the increasingly close alignment between Copenhagen and Paris on key European issues, particularly defense, economic competitiveness, and shared geopolitical interests.
Danish and French leaders emphasize shared vision for European sovereignty
At the Élysée Palace, French officials highlighted the significance of the visit, noting the “strong Danish-French convergence” on Europe’s most pressing challenges.
“It is an important visit because there is a strong convergence between Denmark and France regarding the challenges Europe faces — especially in terms of defense and competitiveness. The two countries stand united on the question of European sovereignty,” a source from the French presidential office said.
The Danish royal couple is accompanied by Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen, and a 50-strong business delegation, emphasizing both political and commercial dimensions of the trip.
Visit includes tour of major French defense firm as Ukraine war looms large
One of the more geopolitically charged events on the itinerary is King Frederik’s visit to French defense giant KNDS, the producer of Caesar howitzers that Denmark has supplied to Ukraine. France is the world’s second-largest arms exporter, behind only the United States, and Denmark’s increasing defense investments make it a strategic partner for French military-industrial cooperation.
“There will be agreements signed that demonstrate a governmental commitment to work even more closely together to contribute to a stronger Europe,” said Hanne Fugl Eskjær, Denmark’s ambassador to France.
Danish-French economic ties stronger than ever
The visit also highlights the commercial strength of the Danish-French relationship. In 2024 alone, Danish exports of goods and services to France reached nearly DKK 60 billion (approx. €8 billion), marking a 42% increase over the last five years.
France remains an essential market for Danish products, including fish, dairy, furniture, medical supplies, and wind turbines. In return, Denmark imports wine, automobiles, perfumes, tourism services, and more. This trade balance currently favors Denmark.
High-level diplomacy meets cultural diplomacy
Despite the weighty strategic context, the visit also celebrates personal and cultural ties. King Frederik, who is half-French and speaks the language fluently, shares a warm personal rapport with President Macron — a closeness described by Élysée sources as “familial.”
Over the three-day program, the royal couple and the presidential couple will share multiple informal engagements beyond the official ceremonies. These include a private tour of the newly reopened Notre Dame Cathedral, a visit to the Manufacture des Gobelins tapestry workshop, and a scenic boat trip along the Seine.
On Tuesday, King Frederik opened a Danish-French business forum at the historic Palais Brongniart, while Queen Mary will visit École Maternelle Dussoubs, a school that has adopted the Mary Foundation’s anti-bullying program.
The visit concluded on Wednesday with a meeting with Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo and further diplomatic meetings tied to health and defense initiatives.
A symbolic and strategic partnership for Europe’s future
The Danish delegation’s focus on energy, healthcare, and defense underscores the countries’ shared vision for a resilient Europe that can meet internal and external challenges — from geopolitical instability to climate and economic shifts.
With France expecting economic growth above 1.5% in 2026 and 2027, and Denmark continuing to lead in green and technological innovation, the visit symbolizes a mutual investment in Europe’s strategic autonomy.
As Parisian onlookers waved both Tricolores and Dannebrogsflagene, the sentiment on the streets was clear: “Welcome to Paris! As Europeans, we are happy to see the Danish flag here,” said Dominique, a retired Parisian bookseller, standing outside Les Invalides.
