Queen Margrethe of Denmark abdicates, and her son Frederik X ascends to the throne.
The 83-year-old Margrethe is the first Danish king or queen to freely abdicate in almost 900 years, having done so in 1146 when King Erik III Lam abdicated to become a monk.
The 83-year-old Margrethe is the first Danish king or queen to freely abdicate in almost 900 years, having done so in 1146 when King Erik III Lam abdicated to become a monk.
At the Christiansborg Palace, a large complex in Copenhagen that houses the Danish Parliament, the prime minister’s office, the Supreme Court, and the Royal Reception Rooms and Royal Stables, she signed her abdication during a meeting with the Danish Cabinet. She was shown the document while seated at a large table surrounded by royals and Danish government officials, all of whom were draped in crimson linen.
There in the room was Frederik, fifty-five. He will then be crowned king in front of thousands of people on the royal balcony by Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.
Citing health issues, Margrethe announced on New Year’s Eve that she would step down, stunning a nation that had expected her to live out her days on the throne, as is tradition in the Danish monarchy. Margrethe underwent major back surgery last February and didn’t return to work until April.
Christian, the 18-year-old son of Frederik who will one day ascend to the Danish throne as crown prince, was also present.
Prior to the declaration, not even Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen knew the queen’s plans. According to the Berlingske tabloid, which quoted the royal house, Margrethe had only told Frederik and his younger brother Joachim three days prior.
Following the abdication, Denmark will have two queens: Margrethe, who will retain her title, and Queen Mary, who is the wife of Frederik, an Australian national.
Outside the parliament, people from all throughout Denmark gathered; the red and white Danish flags were flying in several of the crowded streets. As is traditional for royal occasions, city buses were decked up with tiny Danish flags, and several shops displayed pictures of the soon-to-be queen and king. Numerous others watched a live TV broadcast of the historic occasion throughout the kingdom, which is home to about 6 million people.
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The music group of the royal guards paraded through downtown Copenhagen on a daily basis, but on special occasions they donned red jackets instead of their customary black ones.
Denmark’s monarchy is the oldest in Europe and among the oldest in the world, having its roots in the Viking king Gorm the Old in the tenth century. The royal family’s responsibilities today are mostly ceremonial.