The succession was formalized the moment Margrethe signed the declaration of abdication during a session of Parliament’s State Council. Denmark is one of the world’s oldest monarchies and does not have a coronation ceremony.
Afterwards, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen proclaimed the new king on the balcony of the Parliament at Christiansborg Castle with the words “Long live Frederick X.”
“My hope is to be the united king of tomorrow. This is a challenge that I have worked on all my life, one that I approach with pride, respect and joy,” Frederick said from his balcony overlooking his first post as king. said in a speech. A large crowd of cheerful people.
Immediately after that, Frederick, 55, married his Australian-born wife Mary (age 51), who is currently the queen, and their children Christian (age 18), heir to the throne, Princess Isabel (age 16), She was joined on the balcony by her twin, Princess Josephine. and Prince Vincent, both 13 years old.
People from all over Denmark flocked to the capital to witness the event in near-freezing temperatures, demonstrating the immense popularity the monarchy enjoys in the country of nearly 6 million people.
Kaspar Wie Larsen, 45, said: “He was so happy that he cried tears of joy, both when he gave his speech on the balcony and when Mary came out and held his hand and kissed him at the end.” ” he said.
“It was really worth standing here and waiting all day,” he said.
The new king and queen then rode in a horse-drawn carriage through the crowds gathering in the streets of Copenhagen back to Amalienborg Palace, a royal complex built in the 1750s in central Copenhagen.
The couple will continue to reside, albeit in their own palaces within the octagonal complex, with Margrethe retaining her title as Queen of Amalienborg Castle.
The new king and queen ascend to the throne amid overwhelming public support and enthusiasm for the monarchy. The latest poll, conducted after Margrethe announced her abdication, found that 82% of Danes expected Frederik to do well in his new role, while 86% said the same about Mary.
Margrethe previously said she would remain on the throne for life, but did not give a reason for her decision to step down, but said that major back surgery she underwent in February last year had caused her to think about her future.