COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Denmark’s prime minister proclaimed King Frederik A large crowd gathered for the event.
Margrethe, 83, became the first Danish monarch in nearly 900 years to voluntarily abdicate the throne. Thousands of people gathered outside the palace where the succession took place, with an atmosphere of jubilation as the Scandinavian nation experienced its first succession to the throne in more than half a century and one not caused by the death of a monarch. It drifted.
Denmark’s monarchy dates back to the 10th century Viking king Gorm the Elder, making it the oldest in Europe and one of the oldest in the world. Today, royal duties are largely ceremonial.
Margrethe signed the abdication papers during a meeting with the government at Christiansborg Palace, a vast complex in Copenhagen that has been the center of Danish power for centuries. It currently houses the Royal Reception Room and Royal Stables, as well as the Danish Parliament, the Prime Minister’s Office, and the Supreme Court.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen then proclaimed King Frederik to a cheering crowd from the balcony of the palace.
Frederiksen stood next to him, wearing a ceremonial military uniform emblazoned with medals, and read the proclamation aloud three times, as is tradition. The crowd then spontaneously sang the national anthem, joined by the new Australian-born Queen Mary and her husband’s four children on the balcony.
“My hope is to be the unified king of tomorrow,” Frederick said. “It’s a challenge I’ve struggled with all my life.”
It was customary for new sovereigns to adopt a royal motto as a guide for their reign, and Frederick’s motto was “United and devoted to the Kingdom of Denmark.”
The new king said, “I want to repay the trust placed in me.” “My dear wife, I need the trust of you and of someone greater than us.”
Frederick then kissed Queen Mary, who was wearing a white dress with a sash over one shoulder, and the crowd once again erupted into loud cheers.
Newly proclaimed King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark wave on the balcony of Christiansborg Palace following the abdication of former Queen Margrethe, who ruled for 52 years, in Copenhagen, Denmark, January 14, 2024.Photo by Nils Meywang/Ritzau Scanpics via Reuters
Then, to the sound of church bells, he left Christiansborg Palace in a horse-drawn carriage and headed to Amalienborg Palace, where he appeared again in front of a cheering crowd waving a red flag with a white cross.
Frederik was visibly moved and put his hands on his heart in a gesture of gratitude.
The abdication document was first presented to Margrethe, who was seated at a huge table covered in red cloth, surrounded by members of the royal family and Danish government officials. Frederick sat next to her.
After signing, Margrethe, wearing a magenta skirt suit, stood up and motioned for Frederik to take her place. “God save the king,” she said as she left the room on her cane.
The abdication will leave Denmark with two queens. Margrethe retains her title of queen, and Frederick’s wife becomes Queen Mary. Frederick and Mary’s eldest son Christian (age 18) became Crown Prince and heir to the throne.
Citing health problems, Margrethe announced on New Year’s Eve that she would step down, surprising those who had expected her to spend the rest of her life on the throne, in keeping with Danish royal tradition. Margrethe underwent major surgery on her back in February last year and she did not return to her job until April.
Even the Prime Minister was not aware of the Queen’s intentions until just before the announcement. Margrethe informed Frederik and his brother Joachim just three days ago, Berlinske newspaper reported, citing the palace.
People from all over Denmark gathered outside the parliament building and many streets were decorated with red and white Danish flags. Photos of Margrethe and Frederik were displayed in some shops, and small Danish flags were displayed on city buses, as is customary at royal events. Many others across the kingdom of around 6 million people watched live television coverage of the historic event.
“It was worth the four-hour wait,” said Anders Patersen, 25. He came from Aalborg in northern Denmark to witness Frederick’s declaration. “It was very intense,” his mother, Helle Patersen, said.
Marina Gregovic, 32, from Copenhagen, said she believed Mr Frederic “would be great and we loved his speech.”
Royal families from across Europe sent their best wishes, including his late mother Queen Elizabeth II and Margrethe’s cousin, King Charles III.
Prince Charles said he was committed to working with them “to ensure that the lasting bonds between our two countries and families remain strong.”
Earlier in the day, the Royal Guards Band performed its daily parade through downtown Copenhagen, but instead of its usual black, it wore the red jackets reserved for big events.
The last time a Danish monarch voluntarily resigned was in 1146, when King Eric III of Rum resigned to enter a monastery. Margrethe abdicated in January, the same month she ascended the throne, following the death of her father Frederick IX on January 14, 1972.
Australians also took to the streets of Copenhagen to celebrate the birth of their country’s queen.
Judy Langtree, who made the long trip from Brisbane, said: “I think it’s good that she comes from a normal Australian background and not from a royal family. She comes from a middle class background and I We are the same way, so I can empathize with that even more.” Witness royal events with her daughter.
In a survey commissioned by Denmark’s public broadcaster DR and published on Friday, 79% of 1,037 people surveyed by the Epinion polling agency said they were ready for Mr Frederik to take over, while 83% said his wife said they believe Mary is ready to take over the government. Queen. DR said the survey had a margin of error of 3 percentage points.
Although a hereditary monarchy may seem at odds with modern Denmark’s egalitarian principles, the royal family remains popular and anti-monarchist movements are small.
“There is no future for the Danish republican party,” former parliament speaker Pia Kjærsgaard said on public television.
Aleksandar Furtula contributed to this report.