The Danish Royals Have an Amazing Wedding Anniversary Tradition That Explains This Photo

This is one wedding anniversary that the royal family will never forget!

Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik and Princess Mary celebrated their Copper Wedding Anniversary in a traditional way early Monday morning — by having well-wishers wake up them up around 6.30 a.m. to mark 12-and-a-half years of wedded bliss.

The couple tied the knot in a fairy tale wedding on May 14, 2004 after meeting at the Sydney Olympics.

Danes traditionally celebrate wedding anniversaries at the 12.5, 25 and 50-year marks. The first of these is known as the Copper Wedding Anniversary.

Danish tradition demands that family and friends of the couple form a half arch (it’s a full arch once the duo reaches the quarter-century mark) around the front door of their property before ensuring a noisy alarm call encourages the couple to get up and start the celebration!

A photo of the happy couple, who have four children, was shared by Denmark’s Royal Palace on Monday. And judging by their well-rested and fresh faces, they may have seen it coming!

The early-morning event was just the beginning of a series of celebrations throughout the day.

The heir to the Danish throne (who recently took quite the tumble on a trampoline) and his Australian-born bride are expected to host an entertaining meal for celebrants, at which they can expect to hear more songs, some of which have been specially composed for the event.

Guests will then tell stories and make speeches while indulging in a piece of special almond cake known as “kransekage.”