Denmark’s new King Frederick X visits the Danish parliament on his first day in office
COPENHAGEN, Denmark — Denmark’s new King Frederick X visited the Danish parliament on Monday, his first official day in office, a day after his mother Queen Margrethe abdicated after 52 years on the throne.
The King said through Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen: “I begin my responsible work as King of Denmark, trusting that the Danish Parliament will cooperate in our joint efforts for the benefit of the Kingdom.” As per tradition, the monarch does not speak directly to MPs, so Frederiksen read his speech on his behalf. The king referred to himself as “we” using the so-called solemn plural.
Parliament Speaker Soren Gade told Frederick: “I am confident he will be a great king for all of us. And he has an excellent queen by his side.” Next to the king is his Australian-born wife Mary. The queen was sitting.
Frédéric (55) and Mary (51) arrived in Folketing in a royal limousine and were greeted by Gadet and senior politicians.
Margrethe stood on the steps to Christiansborg Palace and watched her son and daughter-in-law arrive.
Inside, members of the royal family sat on the royal balcony overlooking the 179-member Folketinguett parliament. Frederic sat in the front row next to Mary and her eldest son, Crown Prince Christian, 18, and smiled. Margrethe sat behind him.
Mr Frederic met with MPs, who lasted more than an hour, including members of the far-left United List party opposed to the monarchy, who stood up when the royal family entered the room.
“We always attend Folketing meetings, that’s why we were there today,” said Rosa Lund, a senior Unity List member. But Lund said she abstained from attending the new king’s reception after a short parliamentary session because the members of the minor party are Republicans.
On Sunday, a large crowd cheered when Frederick and Mary appeared on the balcony of Christiansborg Palace, where parliament and other facilities are located.
Frederik was proclaimed king by Frederiksen shortly after Margrethe signed his abdication during a meeting with the government at Christiansborg Castle on Sunday.
In keeping with tradition, the prime minister read the declaration three times, with Frederik standing next to him in ceremonial military uniform emblazoned with medals. Later, Mary and her husband’s four children joined them on the balcony. A large crowd gathered in Parliament Square and spontaneously sang the national anthem.
When Queen Margrethe became Queen in 1972, she even visited Parliament the day after she was praised.