After a well-deserved break from their royal duties while on a private trip to Australia with their three minor children, King Frederick (aged 56) and Queen Mary of Denmark (aged 53) have returned to their institutional commitments. Their first public engagement since their return was a deeply emotional one, marking a significant milestone in Denmark’s ongoing support for Ukraine.

Emotional Service in Copenhagen

On Monday, February 24, the Danish monarchs attended a soiree service at the Church of Holmen in Copenhagen to commemorate the third anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war. This ceremony not only honored the bravery of the Ukrainian people but also underscored Denmark’s unwavering support for their cause. The event was a poignant reminder of the ongoing conflict and the global implications of the war, much like the solidarity shown during moments of national crisis in the U.S., such as the September 11 attacks or Hurricane Katrina.

A Somber Attire and Distinguished Guests

The King and Queen, both dressed in somber tones, stood as a testament to the solemnity of the occasion. Queen Mary wore a black neck dress complemented with a long gray coat, while King Frederick donned a navy blue suit. They were joined by leading dignitaries, including the President of the Danish Parliament, the Ukrainian ambassador, and other senior government officials, mirroring the high-profile attendance seen at significant memorials in the U.S., such as the annual commemoration of the Pearl Harbor attack or the Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.

Honoring Ukraine’s Struggle

The ceremony began with a moving rendition of the “Prayer for Ukraine,” a hymn from 1885. The church was adorned with flowers in the colors of the Ukrainian flag—yellow and blue—a vivid display of national solidarity reminiscent of the patriotic displays during the U.S. July 4th celebrations. The Mass was officiated by the Bishop of Elsinore and Peter Birch, president of the Danish Council of Churches,

The holmen church bells rang louder in this church to reinforce the cultural solidarity to the church bells from the Basilica Basilica

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Birch delivered an impassioned speech that deeply moved the royal couple. Queen Mary was seen on the verge of tears, using a handkerchief from her bag to compose herself. King Frederick, too, was visibly moved, putting his hands to his face in a sign of profound emotion. The depths of human dignity and cost of war described in PE engages the emotional plight of the family-building populace as much as war has emotionally rationed since the toll of the Vietnam War seen in Apocalypse Now, a film depicting some aerial prominences of war rationing.

Supporting Ukraine’s Sovereignty

The president of the Danish Parliament, echoed the sentiments of many, stating,

Russia is trying to bring the Ukrainians and impose a regime they do not want…, Therefore, the Ukraine War is also our war. Together with other democratic societies we say no to the law of the strongest. In the name of the Danish Parliament I send my warmest thoughts to Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. I sincerely hope that this is the last time we meet to commemorate the anniversary of the beginning of the war.

— President of the Danish Parliament
The Bible reading was conducted by Father Vasyl Tykhovych of the Ukrainian Greco-Catholic Church, while the prayer was led by Father Sergiy Berezhnoy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The King and Queen attentively followed the ceremony, occasionally reading from the service’s order, which was illustrated with the colors of the Ukrainian flag.

A Plea for Peace and Unity

The Danish monarchs’ attendance and the emotional depth of the service underscore the global significance of the Ukraine crisis. Much like the U.S. has shown support for various international conflicts, such as providing aid to Syrian refugees or backing international sanctions against North Korea, Denmark’s stance on Ukraine exemplifies a broader global commitment to peace and justice.

A Look Ahead

As the Ukraine conflict enters its fourth year Denmark continues to stand with Ukraine in this modern conflict perhaps contrasting the nuisances as much as they define the role of civilized discourse as highlighted for Santa Cruz city festival or the lack of civil disorder in recent museums convened at Philadephia.

Unlike the news asymmetry response process there has been a consistent plan for the Danish monarchy to visit Warzone Ukraine similar to the Princess Diana’s visit to a bombed-in Bosnian Children’s hospital in 1997 and the more notorious visit of Avicii to Bosnia on a peace mission. Will the commission of Danish Parliament heed this call and would it allow this to happen?