Christian X known as the ‘Riding King’ of Denmark
I was never too excited by the earlier postage stamps of Denmark; lots of dull numerals of value or king’s heads. But after reading the story of King Christian X during World War II, I no longer think his little portraits are dull.
He was born in 1870 and became King of Denmark in 1912, after a career in the military that involved lots of horses and cavalry. He was not immediately popular as king, as he tended to be cantankerous and authoritarian.
The “Easter Crisis of 1920” was brought on by his difficulty coming to terms with the Parliament and politicians of the day; he abruptly dismissed the existing Parliament. Threats of mass demonstrations and a general strike in Copenhagen forced him to back down and take on a much more symbolic role. However, his cranky character would come in useful in the years ahead.
Denmark intended on remaining neutral during World War II as it had been in the First World War, but a sudden invasion by German troops on April 9, 1940 put an end to that as the flat country was quickly occupied. I liked the sad and interesting Danish movie “9.APRIL”; it is available (free) on Youtube.
Germany imposed much milder terms on Denmark than other countries it occupied and the Danish government was allowed to remain for handling internal matters. Unlike nearby Norway and the Netherlands, the King remained in place to give the occupation a display of normalcy. Maybe the King could show his face occasionally?
Christian X had other ideas. Every single day, in spite of rain, wind, ice or cobblestones, he donned his full military uniform, got on his horse and rode from Amalienborg Palace alone through the streets of Copenhagen. Citizens would wave and doff their hats- he saluted them in return. A crowd of cyclists, particularly delivery boys, followed behind.
A salute from occupying troops would be coldly ignored. It was a small action, but it showed the Danes that they couldn’t be intimidated. People started wearing small metal badges with the initials of the king on them. A patriotic song “Der rideren kong” was sung.
On the King’s 72nd birthday in 1942, Adolph Hitler sent a long, effusive telegram, congratulating him. Christian replied with five short words that Hitler interpreted as more or less “Up yours! .” Hitler was furious ; the episode is termed the “Telegram Crisis”. The Danish government was dismissed by the Nazis.
Concerns began mounting about Denmark’s Jewish population of 8000 souls. It is now described as only a legend that the king wore a yellow star at this time, but there is no question that he considered this. A diary of his says,” I could not meet such a demand against Danish citizens. If we receive such a demand we would best meet it by all wearing stars of David”. With encouragement and funds from the King, resistance groups and ordinary citizens smuggled Jews by boat into neutral Sweden. 7500 escaped, 476 were captured and sent to Theresienstadt. Pressure from the Danish King, government and Danish Red Cross may have saved many of these. The final count of 52 deaths is horrible, but a small fraction of those lost in other occupied countries.
The King continued to enjoy huge popular support, standing as a rallying point for resistance and helping to end collaboration. Unfortunately he fell from his horse in October 1942. He became a virtual invalid and was treated as a prisoner from 1943 to 1945, passing away in 1947.
A fitting memorial are Danish stamps #259 and #261; the King riding through Copenhagen, followed by cyclists.