Queen Mary's son Crown Prince Christian pictured with family following return home

The Danish royal family has arrived at Marselisborg Castle to celebrate Christmas! The Danish Royal House released on Monday a photo of King Frederik, Queen Mary, their four kids—Crown Prince Christian, 19, Princess Isabella, 17, Prince Vincent, 13, and Princess Josephine, 13—and His Majesty's mother, Queen Margrethe, together at the royal residence in Aarhus. Queen Margrethe, who has been at the castle since Dec. 20, was photographed greeting her grandson Crown Prince Christian in one image.

"From Marselisborg Castle, where the royal family is now gathered, we wish you a peaceful and happy Christmas," the caption alongside the post reads (translated to English). "Welcome home Crown Prince Christian 💙," one individual commented on the post. Another wrote in part (translated to English), "Am I the only one who could barely recognize Christian?"

The pictures mark the first photos that the Royal House has shared of the Crown Prince since his return to Denmark. The heir to the Danish throne, who graduated from high school in June, traveled to East Africa in September for an extended stay. The Danish Royal House had previously said that the plan was for Christian to return to Denmark in December. In February, the 19-year-old Crown Prince "will start as conscript at the Guard Hussar Regiment in Slagelse," Denmark.

Christian reportedly joined his family on a weekend getaway to Spain this month, ahead of the holidays. According to HOLA! Spain, the Danish King, Queen and their children traveled to Madrid, where they stayed at the luxurious, 5-star Hotel Santo Mauro.

This holiday season is Frederik and Mary's first as the King and Queen of Denmark. Frederik acceded to the throne in January following his mother's abdication. Queen Margrethe announced her plan to hand over the throne to her firstborn during her 2023 New Year’s Eve address. 

The King will be at Marselisborg Castle from Dec. 23 through Dec. 26, and on New Year's Eve, His Majesty will deliver his first New Year's speech from Frederik VIII's Palace at Amalienborg.