COPENHAGEN, DENMARK - NOVEMBER 5: King Frederik of Denmark and Queen Mary of Denmark arrive to the 20 Year Celebration of The Crown Prince Couple Awards at Vega on November 5, 2024 in Copenhagen, Denmark.  (Photo by Martin Sylvest Andersen/Getty Images)© Getty Images

King Frederik and Queen Mary visit Madrid with their kids

The royals will be celebrating Christmas at Marselisborg Castle this year


DECEMBER 18, 2024 12:37 PM EST

The Danish royal family enjoyed a weekend getaway to Spain ahead of Christmas. According to HOLA! Spain, Queen Mary and King Frederik of Denmark traveled to Madrid with their four children, Crown Prince Christian, 19, Princess Isabella, 17, Prince Vincent, 13, and Princess Josephine, 13.

HOLA! Spain reported that the royal family stayed at the luxurious, 5-star Hotel Santo Mauro, which is the former home of the Duke of Santo Mauro. They are said to have been accompanied by their security team. During their trip, the royals were reportedly spotted strolling along Marqués del Riscal Street.

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK - JANUARY 14: Danish King Frederik X stands with Queen Mary and their children, Crown Prince Christian, Princess Isabella, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, on the balcony of Christiansborg Palace following his proclamation on January 14, 2024 in Copenhagen, Denmark. King Frederik X is succeeding Queen Margrethe II, who has stepped down after reigning for 51 years. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)© Sean Gallup/Getty Images
This is Frederik and Mary's first holiday season as King and Queen

The family's getaway follows Crown Prince Christian's extended stay in East Africa. The heir to the throne, who graduated from high school this past June, left for Africa in September. The Danish Royal House had previously said that the plan was for Christian to return to Denmark in December.

The family of six is set to celebrate Christmas this year at Marselisborg Castle with King Frederik's mother, Queen Margrethe. His Majesty's younger brother Prince Joachim, along with his wife Princess Marie and their two children, Count Henrik and Countess Athena, will be missing from the gathering. The Danish Royal House has revealed that they will be spending the holiday with Princess Marie's family. It's unclear if that will include Joachim's older sons, Count Felix and Count Nikolai, from his first marriage to Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg.

This Christmas will be Frederik and Mary's first as King and Queen. Frederik acceded to the throne in January following his mother's abdication. Queen Margrethe announced her plan to abdicate during her 2023 New Year’s Eve address. King Frederik will deliver his first New Year's speech from Frederik VIII's Palace at Amalienborg on Dec. 31.