Denmark’s monarchy is one of the oldest in the world, dating back to the Viking Age.
Copenhagen:
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark will abdicate on Sunday after 52 years on the throne, handing over power to her eldest son, Crown Prince Frederick, who will take the name Frederick X.
Here are five things to know about the Danish monarchy.
viking heritage
This is the second time a Danish monarch has abdicated, the last being Eric III in 1146, some nine centuries ago.
After the death of Queen Elizabeth II of England, Margrethe is Europe’s longest-reigning monarch, as well as the only female monarch who did not acquire the title through marriage.
Denmark’s monarchy is one of the oldest in the world, dating back to the Viking Age.
This kingdom has been around since the reign of Gorm the Old, who died around 958 and was succeeded by his son Harald Bluetooth, whose name is borrowed from the Bluetooth radio technology, whose symbol is the rune of his initials. It is a combination of.
However, Margrethe II’s lineage comes from the House of Glücksburg, a branch of the German House of Oldenburg, which has ruled Denmark since 1448.
She would not have become queen if the rules of succession had not been changed to allow women to ascend to the throne in 1953 when she was 13 years old.
king without a crown
Frederick X became king by declaration and will no longer wear the Danish crown, which is on display at Copenhagen’s Rosenborg Castle.
A full coronation replaced the anointing in the 17th century when the monarchy became hereditary, but this ritual was abolished in 1849 with the adoption of the Danish Constitution.
In contrast to the traditions of other European monarchies, the Danish monarch does not take an oath, and there are no ceremonies that bring together heads of state and crowned heads of foreign countries.
minimalism
Margrethe II is credited with modernizing the monarchy’s image during her 52-year reign, but she also strengthened it.
Last year, she stripped her four children, her youngest son, of their royal titles, giving them a public platform within the family “so that they can shape their own existence without being restricted by formal affiliation with the royal family.” caused a fight. House. “
The children of the new sovereign couple would retain the title, but only the eldest son would retain the title after they reached adulthood.
Popularity
Margrethe II was able to win the hearts of the Danes and unite them behind the monarchy.
When she ascended the throne in 1972, only 45% supported the monarchy, with the remainder believing the dynasty was unfit for modern democracy.
The proportion of monarchists has now risen to more than 80 percent, and more than 80 percent of Danes also believe her abdication was the right decision.
Four out of five Danes believe the new king, known for his passion for sport and environmental protection, will be a good king.
reasonable cost
Although the Danish monarch has mainly symbolic powers, he is also the head of state. And every year, the government allocates funds for the operation of the royal palace.
The amount is currently set at 121.4 million kroner (approximately $17.8 million), but experts believe the royal family’s costs are at least this much, taking into account the cost of living and maintaining the royal yacht Danneblog. We expect it to triple.
That means the royal family’s costs could be around 9 euros per Danish person per year.
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