Queen Margrethe II of Denmark announced on January 14th that she would step down from the throne in a surprise New Year’s abdication speech.
Europe’s longest-reigning monarch, Margaret II, will hand over the throne to her son, Crown Prince Frederik, after 52 years on the throne, the Associated Press reported.
“I entrust the throne to my son, Crown Prince Frederick,” she said in a live televised address.
The 83-year-old queen said she started thinking about her future after undergoing back surgery in early 2023.
“After the surgery, I naturally started thinking about the future,” she said. “Is it time to hand over responsibility to the next generation?” “We decided now was the right time.”
Margrethe thanked the Danish people for their support, and Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen thanked her for her contribution and looked to 2024.
“In the new year, Crown Prince Frederik will be proclaimed king. Crown Princess Mary will be proclaimed queen. The kingdom will have a new regent and a new royal couple,” he said in a statement. “We are looking forward to all of this because we know they are ready to take on the responsibility and the task.”
Margrethe II abdicated the throne on January 14, 1972, following the death of her father, Frederick IX, at the age of 31.
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