The Crown Prince Couple's Awards

With the Crown Prince Couple's Awards, we focus on outstanding performances, innovative thinking and high quality within the fields of arts and culture and social work
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The Crown Prince Couple's Awards were set up in 2004 as a wedding gift to His Royal Highness Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary. As they are honorary awards, the awards cannot be applied for. The award recipients are nominated by the Crown Prince Couple subject to recommendations made by two advisory committees with expertise within the areas of culture and social work, respectively.

The awards are presented by the Crown Prince Couple at a live show on national television (DR1, Danish Broadcasting Corporation) produced in a collaboration between DR and the Bikuben Foundation. Initially, the awards were presented in Copenhagen, but since 2011 the award shows have been hosted by various Danish cities. 2013 marked an exception, though, when the Sydney Opera House was the venue for the award show, as an element of the official 40th-anniversary celebration of Jørn Utzon's world-famous architectural masterpiece.

The Crown Prince Couple's Cultural Award and the Crown Prince Couple's Social Award each carries a monetary prize of DKK 500,000, and the recipients are presented with a kaleidoscope created by Olafur Eliasson. The Crown Prince Couple's two Stardust Awards each carry a monetary prize of DKK 100,000.

The awards

The Crown Prince Couple's Social Award

This prize is awarded to a private, public or voluntary association, institution or organisation supporting an innovative, creative and ground-breaking initiative to benefit socially vulnerable or marginalised groups in Denmark, Greenland or the Faroe Islands. The selection of award winners emphasises initiatives having successfully tested new methods and, over a number of years, provided changed conditions for a socially vulnerable or marginalised group. 

The award-winning initiative shall stand out – shining through the force of example – and demonstrate a capacity for passing on experience and inspiration at a national (and, perhaps, international) level.

This award can be shared among multiple associations, institutions or organisations which, in collaboration, have brought about superior results. 

The Crown Prince Couple's Cultural Award

This prize is awarded to a notable Danish, Faroese or Greenlandic artist who has delivered an exceptional performance.

The selection of award winners is based on the premise of future expectations of equally great performances by the award winners, nationally and internationally. The award winner shall shine through the force of example, representing values such as innovation, creativity and high artistic integrity.

The Crown Prince Couple's Cultural Stardust Award

The recipients of the Crown Prince Couple's Cultural Stardust Award must have made a name for themselves on the artistic scene and be a younger Danish, Faroese, or Greenlandic artists, from whom we can still expect a lot. In the selection, emphasis is placed on the fact that the artists have shown the courage to take new paths within their artistic field. The awardees must be innovative and uncompromising in their artistic exploration.

The Crown Prince Couple's Social Stardust Award

The recipients of the Crown Prince Couple's Social Stardust Award must have made themselves known through targeted work in testing new methods or forms of cooperation in relation to their efforts for the socially disadvantaged. In the selection, emphasis is placed on the fact that the award recipient is an innovative thinker, constitutes a strong source of inspiration for other actors and can be expected to deliver a decisive effort for vulnerable groups for a long time to come.

The advisory committees

Owing to their members' expertise and competences, the advisory committees represent bodies of professionals with comprehensive knowledge about the social and cultural areas, respectively. A committee member sits for a maximum of 3 years. In addition to the expert members, the Bikuben Foundation participates with representation on both committees (titles in Danish only)
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Rådgivende komité for Kronprinsparrets Kulturpris og KRONPRINSPARRETS KULTURELLE
Stjernedryspris 2023

  • Anne Karine Prip – Kunstnerisk leder og producent, DR Pigekoret og DR Korskolen
  • Anders Hagerup – Lektor, DIS
  • Aukje Lepoutre Ravn – Seniorkurator, Copenhagen Contemporary
  • Bjarke Svendsen – Tidligere leder, Alice
  • Bodil Skovgaard Nielsen – Litteraturkritiker, Dagbladet Information
  • Karen Vedel – Lektor, Institut for Kunst- og Kulturvidenskab, Københavns Universitet
  • Rune David Grue – Teaterinstruktør og lektor, Den Danske Scenekunstskole
  • Sarah Müllertz – Designer og stifter af KINRADEN
  • Silje Kamille Friis – Lektor, Det Kongelige Akademi

Rådgivende komité for Kronprinsparrets Sociale Pris OG KRONPRINSPARRETS SOCIALE STJERNEDRYSPRIS 2023

  • Amma Asare-Nyako – Rådsmedlem, Det Nationale Integrationsråd og Generalsekretær, Sabaah
  • Carsten Terp – Stifter, Impact Insider
  • Dorte Bukdahl – Konsulent, Mobilize
  • Gurli Martinussen – Forkvinde, Rådet for Sociale Investeringer og Fhv. Direktør, Trygfonden
  • Jonas Keiding Lindholm – Direktør, Tænketanken Mandag Morgen
  • Kira West – Direktør, Hjem til Alle og Forkvinde, Rådet for Socialt Udsatte
  • Kristina Louise Bliksted – Direktør, Social Sundhed (modtager er Den Sociale Stjernedryspris 2022)
  • Ida Brix – Kommunikationschef, GAME (modtager af Den Sociale Pris 2022)
  • Mette Pless – Lektor, Center for Ungdomsforskning
  • Nina Smith – Forkvinde, Reformkommissionen
  • Steffen Rasmussen – Direktør, Center for Social Nytænkning

Award recipients over the years

The Crown Prince Couple's Awards 2023 – Musikhuset Esbjerg

Designer and artist Henrik Vibskov received the Crown Prince Couple's Culture Prize, while the Social Prize went to the YMCA's Social Work (KFUM's Sociale Arbejde) initiative Social Drive Out. Both award recipients were presented with DKK 500,000 and a kaleidoscope created by Olafur Eliasson.

The social initiative Energi til Hinanden received the Crown Prince Couple's Social Stardust Award, and the artistic studio How to Kill a Dog received the Cultural Stardust Award. The Crown Prince Couple's Stardust Awards come with DKK 100,000 for each recipient.

The Crown Prince Couple's Awards 2022 – Ringsted Congress Center

Theater director Tue Biering received the Crown Prince Couple's Culture Award, while the Social Award went to the social organization GAME. Both award recipients were presented with DKK 500,000 and a kaleidoscope created by Olafur Eliasson.

The organization Social Sundhed received the Crown Prince Couple's Social Stardust Award, and cellist and composer Josefine Opsahl received the Cultural Stardust Award. With the Crown Prince Couple's Stardust Awards, DKK 100,000 comes to each recipient.

The Crown Prince Couple's Awards 2021 – Vejle Music Theater

The artist group Superflex received the Crown Prince Couple's Culture Award, while the social organization Mødrehjælpen received the Crown Prince Couple's Social Award. Both award recipients were presented with DKK 500,000 and a kaleidoscope created by Olafur Eliasson.

The social effort RedenUng received the Crown Prince Couple's Social Stardust Award and producer, singer and songwriter Erika de Casier received the Cultural Stardust Award. With the Crown Prince Couple's Stardust Awards, DKK 100,000 comes to each recipient. 

The Crown Prince Couple’s Awards 2020 – held at Værket in Randers

Actress Danica Curcic was the recipient of the Crown Prince Couple's Cultural Award and DKK 500,000 plus a kaleidoscope created by Olafur Eliasson. The social organisation Kofoeds Skole was the recipient of the Crown Prince Couple's Social Award. The award was accompanied by DKK 500,000 plus a kaleidoscope created by Olafur Eliasson.

The association De Anbragtes Vilkår received the Crown Prince Couple's Social Stardust Award and choreographer Sebastian Kloborg was the recipient of the Crown Prince Couple's Cultural Stardust Award. Each award was accompanied by DKK 100,000.

The Crown Prince Couple’s Awards 2019 – held at ODEON in Odense

Opera singer Elsa Dreisig was the recipient of the Crown Prince Couple's Cultural Award and DKK 500,000 plus a kaleidoscope created by Olafur Eliasson. The social organisation Bydelsmødre was the recipient of the Crown Prince Couple's Social Award. The award was accompanied by DKK 500,000 plus a kaleidoscope created by Olafur Eliasson.

The socio-economic company FRAK received the Crown Prince Couple's Social Stardust Award and singer and songwriter JADA was the recipient of the Crown Prince Couple's Cultural Stardust Award. Each award was accompanied by DKK 100,000.

The Crown Prince Couple’s Awards 2018 – held at Musikkens hus in Aalborg

Author Kim Leine was the recipient of the Crown Prince Couple's Cultural Award and DKK 500,000 plus a kaleidoscope created by Olafur Eliasson. The organisation Foreningen Grønlandske Børn was the recipient of the Crown Prince Couple's Social Award. The award was accompanied by DKK 500,000 plus a kaleidoscope created by Olafur Eliasson.

The organisation Fundamentet received the Crown Prince Couple's Social Stardust Award and film instructor Annika Berg was the recipient of the Crown Prince Couple's Cultural Stardust Award. Each award was accompanied by DKK 100,000.

The Crown Prince Couple's Awards 2017 – held at Jysk Musikteater in Silkeborg

The composer duo, Den Sorte Skole, representing Martin Højland and Simon Dokkedal, was the recipient of the Crown Prince Couple's Cultural Award and DKK 500,000 plus a kaleidoscope created by Olafur Eliasson.

The organisation, DIGNITY, was the recipient of the Crown Prince Couple's Social Award. This organisation is targeted at providing dignified living circumstances for torture victims and their families. The award was accompanied by DKK 500,000 plus a kaleidoscope created by Olafur Eliasson.

Fashion Designer, Cecilie Bahnsen and the podcast Third Ear (by Tim Hinman and Krister Moltzen) received the Crown Prince Couple's Stardust Awards, each receiving DKK 50,000.

The Crown Prince Couple's Awards 2016 – held in Musikteatret in Holstebro

The film director and script writer Tobias Lindholm was the recipient of the Crown Prince Couple's Cultural Award and DKK 500,000 plus a kaleidoscope created by Olafur Eliasson.

The organisation, Børn, Unge & Sorg (Children, Young People and Grieving) was the recipient of the Crown Prince Couple's Social Award together with DKK 500,000 and a kaleidoscope created by Olafur Eliasson. This organisation provides free consultancy and expert psychological therapy for children and young people who have lost a close family member or who are experiencing life with a critically ill parent or sibling in the home.

The architects, Tegnestuen Johansen Skovsted Arkitekter, and the musician and harmonica player, Mathias Heise, received the Crown Prince Couple's Stardust Awards, each receiving DKK 50,000.

The Crown Prince Couple's Awards 2015 – held in Kulturværftet in Helsingør

The stage Director, Elisa Kragerup, was the recipient of the Crown Prince Couple's Cultural Award and DKK 500,000 plus a kaleidoscope created by Olafur Eliasson.

Through entrepreneurship, the recipient of the Crown Prince Couple's Social Award, Mind Your Own Business, is targeted at strengthening the academic and professional competences of boys and male adolescents of ethnic minority as well as their social relations and connection with the educational system and the labour market. Together with the prize, this initiative received DKK 500,000 and a kaleidoscope created by Olafur Eliasson.

The recipients of the Crown Prince Couple's Stardust Awards and DKK 50,000 each were the Designer Mark Tan and the writer and artist, Amalie Smith.

The Crown Prince Couple's Awards 2014 – held in Musikhuset in Aalborg

The designer Cecilie Manz was the recipient of the Crown Prince Couple's Cultural Award and DKK 500,000 plus a kaleidoscope created by Olafur Eliasson.

The organisation TUBA (therapy and consultancy for young people who have grown up in families with alcohol abuse) was the recipient of the Crown Prince Couple's Social Award and DKK 500.000 kr. plus a kaleidoscope created by Olafur Eliasson.

The photographer Lærke Posselt and the actor Johanne Louise Schmidt were the recipients of the Crown Prince Couple's Stardust Awards, each receiving DKK 50,000.

The Crown Prince Couple's Awards 2013 – held in the Sydney Opera House

The artistic talents behind the television series Borgen and The Killing were the recipients of the Crown Prince Couple's Cultural Award together with DKK 500,000 and a kaleidoscope created by Olafur Eliasson.

The nation-wide voluntary organisation, the Nightravens, was the recepient of the Crown Prince Couple's Social Award together with DKK 500,000 and a kaleidoscope created by Olafur Eliasson.

The violinist Rune Tonsgaard Sørensen and the singer, Karen Marie Ørsted – better known as, MØ – were the recipients of the Crown Prince Couple's Stardust Awards, each receiving DKK 50,000.

As an element in the Danish-Australian celebration of the 40-year anniversary of the Opera House, the Sydney Opera House constituted the framework for the Crown Prince Couple's Awards 2013.

The Crown Prince Couple's Awards 2012 – held in Koncertsalen Alsion in Sønderborg

The illustrator and writer, Jakob Martin Strid, was the recipient of the Crown Prince Couple's Cultural Award and DKK 500,000 plus a kaleidoscope created by Olafur Eliasson.

The Danish Red Cross Youth received the Crown Prince Couple's Social Award together with DKK 500,000 and a kaleidoscope created by Olafur Eliasson.

The accordion player, Bjarke Mogensen and the singer-songwriter Nive Nielsen were the recipients of the Crown Prince Couple's Stardust Awards, each receiving DKK 50,000.

The Crown Prince Couple's Awards 2011 – held in Musikhuset Aarhus

The architect, Bjarke Ingels, was the recipient of the Crown Prince Couple's Cultural Award and DKK 500,000 plus a kaleidoscope created by Olafur Eliasson.

The band, The William Blakes and the writer, Josefine Klougart, received the Crown Prince Couple's Stardust Awards, each receiving DKK 50,000.

The Crown Prince Couple's Awards 2010 – held in the Black Diamond in Copenhagen

The National Association of Join-In Centres received the Crown Prince Couple's Social Award and DKK 500,000 plus a kaleidoscope created by Olafur Eliasson.

Two additional social prizes were awarded to the advisory centre and join-in-centre, Baglandet, in Copenhagen and to the join-in centre, Amarngivat, in Tasiilaq, East Greenland. The two prize winners each received DKK 50,000.

The Crown Prince Couple's Awards 2009 – held in DR Koncerthuset in DR Byen in Copenhagen

The Cellist Andreas Brantelid was the recipient of the Crown Prince Couple's Cultural Award and DKK 500,000 plus a kaleidoscope created by Olafur Eliasson.

The singer, Nanna Øland Fabricius (better known as Oh Land), and the photographer, Joakim Eskildsen, were the recipients of the Crown Prince Couple's Stardust Awards, each receiving DKK 50,000.

The Crown Prince Couple's Awards 2008 – held in the Royal Opera House in Copenhagen

The singer and songwriter, Tina Dickow, was the recipient of the Crown Prince Couple's Cultural Award and DKK 500,000 plus a kaleidoscope created by Olafur Eliasson

Morgencaféen for hjemløse (the morning café for homeless people) was the recipient of Den Velgørende Donation (The Charitable Donation) of DKK 250,000

The Crown Prince Couple's Awards 2007 – held in the Opera at Holmen

The actress, Sonja Richter, was the recipient of the Crown Prince Couple's Cultural Award and DKK 500,000 plus a kaleidoscope created by Olafur Eliasson

Ventilen Danmark, providing support for lonely young people, was the recipient of Den Velgørende Donation (The Charitable Donation) of DKK 250,000.

The Crown Prince Couple's Awards 2006 – held in the Opera at Holmen

The artist, Olafur Eliasson, was the recipient of the Crown Prince Couple's Cultural Award and DKK 500,000

Julemærkefonden (the Christmas Seal Foundation) was the recipient of Den Velgørende Donation (The Charitable Donation) of DKK 250,000.

The Crown Prince Couple's Awards 2005 – held in the Opera at Holmen

The film director, Per Fly, was the recipient of the Crown Prince Couple's Cultural Award and DKK 500,000.

The Save the Children organisation (Red Barnet, Denmark) was the recipient of Den Velgørende Donation (The Charitable Donation) of DKK 250,000.

Frequently asked questions

Can I submit an application for the Crown Prince Couple's Awards?

No. As these are honorary awards, you cannot apply to become a recipient. The award recipients will be nominated by the Crown Prince Couple subject to recommendations made by the two advisory committees with expertise within the areas of culture and social work, respectively.

How do I get tickets to the presentation of the Crown Prince Couple's Awards?

The venue hosting the awards ceremony will be in charge of ticket sales, if relevant. Contact the hosts to learn more. In a few previous cases, the capacity of the venue size did not have scope for any ticket sales.