FRED FLEES 'I DON'T WANT TO BE KING!'

Life at the top isn't appealing to the party prince

With Queen Margrethe of Denmark now focusing on her recovery from back surgery, Crown Prince Frederik has experienced a little taste of life at the top. And far from relishing a preview of his future as monarch while his mother recovers, sources say the 54-year-old wasn't exactly inspired by his brief promotion.

Indeed, when the first in line to the Danish throne recently attended a military event on behalf of 82-year-old Margrethe, he couldn't have looked less interested.

"You got the feeling the crown prince didn't want to be there," says an onlooker. "He looked bored."

One Amalienborg Palace insider reveals that "Fred is counting down the days" until Margrethe is back on her feet.

Reports now reveal the queen is recovering well and plans to be back to work on her 83rd birthday on 16 April.