Remarkable photo shows Prince Christian of Denmark flanked by four Queens-in-waiting on his 18th birthday - after rule changes to lines of succession around Europe

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Five of Europe's future monarchs gathered in celebration of Prince Christian's 18th birthday yesterday.

The lavish event saw royals from across Europe travel to Christianborg Palace in Copenhagen where striking image shared on Instagram shows the future heads of monarchies from around Europe posing for a rare photograph together.

Dressed to the nines, future Queens Princess Estelle of Sweden, 11, Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway, 19, Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands, 19,  and Princess Elisabeth of Belgium, 21, smiled for the camera next to Christian.

Over the past 30 to 40 years, many of the monarchies around Europe have changed their rules on succession to absolute primogeniture, which means that the eldest child of the sovereign will inherit the throne regardless of gender, rather than favouring male heirs. 

Princess Estelle, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Princess Elisabeth all have younger brothers, and had these young women been born a few decades earlier, they would have been passed over in favour of their male siblings. 

Princess Estelle of Sweden (far left), Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway (left), Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands (right) and Princess Elisabeth of Belgium (far right) smiled for the camera next to Prince Christian (centre) at his 18th birthday celebratory gala

One of Europe's youngest heirs, Princess Estelle of Sweden, 11, put on a sweet display in a stylish baby pink floor-length gown.

Next to Estelle stood Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway, 19, who is expected to become the second female monarch of the country in 600 years.

Ingrid Alexandria stunned in an all-blue ensemble, which she paired with an opulent tiara.

Prince Christian, 18, who is considered one of Europe's most eligible bachelors, stood proudly in the middle.

The future king of Denmark looked dapper in a black tuxedo, which he paired with a white shirt and bow tie for the gala.

Princess Catharina-Amalia, 19, stood to the right of Christian in a striking ensemble.

The first child of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima donned a deep violet ballgown with an elegant tiara.

On the far right stood the eldest of the group Princess Elisabeth of Belgium, Duchess of Brabant, 21.

The royal stunned in a silver ball gown- fit with matching evening gloves and a purple sash.

Princess Estelle of Sweden 

Princess Estelle of Sweden (centre) smiled for the cameras alongside her mother Crown Princess Victoria (left) and her father Prince Daniel (right)

The schoolgirl Princess put on a sweet display in a dusty pink dress- complete with flower embellishments 

Princess Estelle appeared to be in high spirits while attending the gala dinner to celebrate the 18th birthday of Prince Christian

Princess Estelle of Sweden, 11, put on an adorable display at the birthday celebrations.

Estelle is the first female in Swedish history to be born with a right to inherit the crown that cannot be superseded by the birth of a male heir, as well as the first person in Swedish history to be born of a female heir apparent.

The young princess carried out her first royal engagement at just two years old when she inaugurated a walking trail. She currently attends a school in Stockholm.

Estelle stood elegantly as she smiled for the cameras besides her parents at the gala dinner- who looked equally as stylish.

Crown Princess Victoria, 46, stunned in a fawn ballgown with beaded detailing around the waist - perfect for the glitzy event.

Meanwhile Prince Daniel, 50, cut a formal figure for the occasion, and donned a black tailcoat with an array of royal honours across the front pockets.

Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway 

The heir to Norway's throne, Princess Ingrid Alexandra (pictured), put on a dashing display to celebrate Prince Christian's birthday

Crown Prince Haakon (left) and Crown Princess Mette-Marit (centre) of Norway arrived at the event with Princess Ingrid Alexandra (right)

The heir to the Norwegian throne looked animated as she chatted with the Danish Prince at the gala dinner 

The heir to Norway's throne, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, put on a dashing display to celebrate Prince Christian's birthday.

Second in line to the throne after her father, Princess Ingrid is the daughter of Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit, and granddaughter of current ruler, King Harald V of Norway.

Ingrid Alexandra will become Norway's second female monarch after her father secured her place in the line of succession by changing the law to allow first-born daughters to ascend the throne over their younger male siblings.

The last Norwegian queen was 600 years ago: Queen Margaret reigned over Norway, Denmark, and Sweden from the late 1380s until her death in 1412.

The royal family pulled out all the stops and looked as glamorous as ever for the occasion.

Crown Princess Mette-Marit, 50, matched her daughter in an all-blue ensemble for the birthday celebrations.

Meanwhile, Prince Haakon, 50, donned traditional formal attire to the lavish party.

Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands 

Princess Amalia of the Netherlands (pictured) donned a striking indigo ensemble for the event in Copenhagen 

The 19-year-old, who has rejected her right to a 1.6 million euros (£1.36 million) annual income, donned a tiara for the event 

The heir to the throne, who was unable to have a lavish 18th birthday party due to Covid, put on a regal display for the event

Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands cut an elegant figure for the birthday celebrations.

Catharina-Amalia became the apparent heir when her grandmother Queen Beatrix abdicated in 2013.

Unlike Christian, the royal, 19, missed out on the grand celebrations often afforded to a royal birthday as she turned 18 while the Netherlands still had Covid restrictions in December 2021.

While she is still at university - and has rejected her right to a 1.6 million euros (£1.36 million) annual income - she has been increasingly stepping into the limelight, but often stays by her parents and sister's sides at royal events due to security fears.

The 19-year-old, who started a degree in politics, psychology, law, and economics at the University of Amsterdam last year, moved out of her student accommodation and returned to her home in The Hague in October.

Over the weekend, the Princess travelled to Copenhagen for the gala dinner. Donning a striking indigo dress, the royal put on a regal display for event.

Princess Elisabeth of Belgium  

Princess Elisabeth of Belgium (pictured), 21, the eldest daughter of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde and heir to the Belgian throne, stunned at the event

The royal, who is currently studying at Oxford University, travelled to Copenhagen for the glitzy event

Elisabeth stunned in a bandeau blue dress- complete with evening gloves and a diamond clutch bag

Princess Elisabeth of Belgium, 21, the eldest daughter of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde and heir to the Belgian throne, stunned at the gala dinner.

When her father became King in 2013, Elisabeth became the heir to the throne and Duchess of Brabant. The law was changed in 1991 so that the eldest child, regardless of whether they are a son or daughter, would be the next to inherit the throne.

A clear diplomat-in-training, the royal who speaks four languages, is currently studying at Oxford University - while juggling military training.

The young royal was also a former student of Atlantic College in Wales - known as 'Hippie Hogwarts' -, obtaining her International Baccalaureate in 2020.

She then completed a one-year course in social and military sciences at the Royal Military Academy which is said to teach in-depth about the four components of Belgian defence: Army, Air Force, Navy and Medical.

However, the royal took a break from work this weekend to attend Prince Christina's birthday bash.

Elisabeth stunned in a bandeau blue dress- complete with evening gloves and a diamond clutch bag.

The heir to the Danish throne, Prince Christian, gave a speech to guests at the lavish event 

The evening was packed with entertainment for the young royals to enjoy from speeches to live music. 

Yesterday marked a busy day for Prince Christian who delighted crowds earlier that morning who had gathered outside the Amalienborg Castle in Copenhagen to celebrate his birthday. 

Looking dapper in a grey checked suit and navy tie, Christian looked in his element as he waved to crowds.

He was then joined by his father, Crown Prince Frederik, and grandmother Queen Margrethe - before his mother Princess Mary and siblings Princess Isabella, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine joined him.

Australian-born Princess Mary, 51, looked smart in a powder blue coat dress to protect herself from a chilly Danish autumn, while Queen Margrethe opted for a bolder purple tone.

Young royals from across Europe enjoyed the glitzy event- which included live music from a band 

Ahead of the festivities, well-wishers gathered in Copenhagen and the royal family shared a series of heartwarming childhood photographs of Christian.

The previously unseen images, taken by the Prince's parents Crown Princess Mary and Prince Frederik, documented a number of private memories.

The snaps featured a trip to Paris, visiting Australia, skiing, playing tennis and 'special moments with Grandpa' - the late Prince Henrik.

Other members of the royal family, including his cousin Count Nikolai, shared happy birthday messages to the future king.

The Danish Royal House also released an official birthday portrait of Prince Christian - taken by his mother - along with a schedule of events.

'Congratulations to His Royal Highness Prince Christian, who turns 18 today,' the palace said in a statement.

'The official program for today's birthday celebration is as follows:

'At 12.00, the birthday boy appears on the balcony of Frederik VIII's Palace at Amalienborg together with the Crown Prince family and Her Majesty the Queen.

'Everyone is welcome to attend the castle square and participate in the celebration.

'At 17.00, the Queen will host a gala dinner at Christiansborg Castle, where especially young people from Prince Christian's own generation are invited,' the Instagram post read.

Meanwhile, flags were raised throughout the country to honour the future King.