
Denmark's Crown Prince Christian has successfully completed his mandatory military service, marking a significant milestone in his journey towards the throne. The 19-year-old heir, following in the footsteps of his father King Frederik X, has qualified as a Guards Hussar after enduring the rigorous REX tour, a four-day exercise that tests the limits of conscripts with minimal sleep and food rations. The Danish royal household released photos and videos showcasing the prince's dedication and resilience during the training, highlighting his commitment to his future role as king.
The REX tour, a traditional and demanding part of the military service in Denmark, involved two phases: readiness and guarding, followed by task solving under challenging conditions. Crown Prince Christian, serving as the second-in-command of his platoon, marched approximately 65 kilometers with full equipment, surpassing the standard 50 kilometers covered by his fellow conscripts. His completion of the exercise not only earned him the REX badge but also paved the way for his upcoming Lieutenant's training, set to begin in August 2025.
The royal household's announcement sheds light on the prince's rigorous preparation for his future responsibilities. Crown Prince Christian's military training is a testament to the Danish constitution's requirement for every male over 18 to complete military service, a tradition that strengthens the bond between the monarchy and the armed forces. His father, King Frederik, also underwent extensive military training, including service in elite units, underscoring the importance of military service in the royal family's preparation for leadership.
As Crown Prince Christian transitions to Lieutenant's training, his journey reflects a blend of tradition and modernity in the Danish monarchy. His recent experiences, from military exercises to conservation efforts in East Africa, illustrate a well-rounded preparation for kingship. With the royal family's support and the nation's eyes on his progress, the future king continues to embody the values of duty, service, and resilience that define the Danish royal legacy.

A Swedish court has convicted six individuals for their involvement in the murder of a 41-year-old gang leader in the Berga district of Linköping during the summer of 2024. The Linköping District Court delivered verdicts in the case, which involved eight defendants originally charged with participation in the killing. The court established that the murder was carried out according to a criminal plan orchestrated by members of an organized crime network based in the Berga area.
The victim was fatally shot in a public space near Berga Church in Linköping on August 13, 2024. Multiple gunshots struck the man in his back and head during the daylight incident, which occurred near residential buildings and a playground. Several members of the public witnessed the shooting, adding to the evidence presented during the trial.
Court proceedings revealed that a 14-year-old boy fired the fatal shots that killed the gang leader. The teenager, who has admitted to the killing, was not prosecuted due to being below the age of criminal responsibility under Swedish law. Instead, prosecutors focused on the eight older individuals allegedly involved in planning and facilitating the murder, all of whom had denied the charges against them.
Evidence presented by prosecutors included extensive documentation of movement patterns through surveillance footage, GPS data from electric scooters, and mobile phone analysis. The court determined the victim had been lured to the crime scene under the pretense of a drug transaction, with communication occurring through a special Snapchat account and a dedicated mobile phone later found buried in nearby woods. Six of the eight defendants were found guilty, with two receiving life sentences for murder while others were convicted of aiding the killing.