Denmark will have a new head of state next Sunday. Two weeks after her surprising announcement of her abdication, former Queen Margrethe II (83) officially abdicated and made way for her son Crown Prince Frederik (55). In the future he will be King Frederick X at the head of the Kingdom of Denmark. His wife Mary, who is from Australia, will become Crown Princess Queen, and the couple’s eldest son, Prince Christian, will become the new Crown Prince.
In her closely watched New Year’s speech on New Year’s Eve, Queen Margrethe unexpectedly announced that she would hand over the throne to Frederik on January 14 after exactly 52 years of presidency. Such a step is extremely unusual in Denmark: no abdication actually takes place before death. The last time a Danish regent voluntarily abdicated during his lifetime was in 1146.
Margrethe had also repeatedly stated that she wanted to fulfill her duties until the end of her life. However, a back operation in February 2023 made her think about whether it was time to pass the responsibility on to the next generation. “I have decided that this is the right time,” she said in her New Year’s speech. “On January 14, 2024 – 52 years after I inherited my beloved father – I will step down as Queen of Denmark. I will hand over the throne to my son Crown Prince Frederik.”
A historic day is approaching in Copenhagen, even if there will be no pompous coronation like the inauguration of British King Charles III. will give. The future king and outgoing queen will instead travel early Sunday afternoon by car and carriage from Amalienborg Palace to Christiansborg Palace, where Margrethe will sign a declaration of her abdication at a meeting with the government starting at 2 p.m. – at this time the change of throne was formally completed and Frederick became the new king.
At 3 p.m. the new monarch will enter the balcony of Christiansborg Palace, where Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen will officially proclaim the enthronement. Frederik then gives a speech to the people and ends it with his motto. At 3:30 p.m., the new royal couple Frederik and Mary will ride back to Amalienborg Palace in a carriage – probably accompanied by thousands of cheering Danes on the side of the road.
The change of throne marks the end of a long era in Denmark. Margrethe had been on the throne for exactly 52 years to this day; Since the death of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022, she is considered the longest-serving monarch on earth. Prime Minister Frederiksen acknowledged that many Danes would not know anyone else but them. “Queen Margrethe is the embodiment of Denmark and over the years has found words and feelings for who we are as a people and as a nation,” she explained after Margrethe’s surprise announcement on New Year’s Eve. (sda/dpa)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
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