Published: January 2, 2024 at 11:45 AM PST
queen margrethe of denmark 2024 has kicked off with a royal surprise!
In an official New Year’s Eve address on Sunday, Denmark’s longest-reigning royal announced that he would officially abdicate the throne on January 14, 52 years after taking the throne.
Her Majesty’s eldest son, Crown Prince Frederik, and his wife, Crown Princess Mary, will take over their roles as King and Queen of Denmark.
“I have decided that now is the right time. On January 14, 2024, 52 years after I succeeded my beloved father, I will step down as Queen of Denmark. I will hand it over to the Prince,” the Queen said. This will be her last New Year’s Eve address to the Danish people.
The 83-year-old royal said in his speech that it was no longer possible for him to serve as he had for the past 50 years, as his health problems continued and his “diet” increased.
“In February of this year, I had major back surgery. Everything went well thanks to the talented medical personnel who took care of me. Inevitably… This surgery made me think about my future and whether now is the right time.”I thought about my responsibility to the next generation and decided that now was the right time,” he said in a speech.
The Queen ended her speech by thanking her many supporters and the changing government and Parliament. Margrethe also encouraged the public to provide similar support to the Saws as they take on their new roles.
“The help and support I have received over the years has been vital to the success of my mission. I hope that the new King and Queen will be received with the same trust and dedication that has fallen on me. “Of course! Denmark deserves it!”
Following the shocking announcement, Margrethe attended a New Year’s dinner at Amalienborg Castle with Frederik, Mary, their son Prince Joachim, and his wife Princess Marie.
Frederic and Mary are parents to Prince Christian (18), Princess Isabella (16), and twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine (12). Following his father’s promotion to king, his successor, Christian, becomes Crown Prince Christian.
Queen Margrethe’s decision to abdicate is the first in more than 500 years. Margrethe took over her role as queen consort in 1972 at the age of 31 following the sudden death of her father, King Frederik IX.
Margrethe was married to Prince Henrik of Denmark, who passed away in 2018, and the two are the parents of Crown Prince Frederik and Prince Joachim.
News of Margrethe’s abdication comes a year after she stripped Prince Joachim’s children of their titles of “prince” and “princess.”
Joachim has two children, Nikolai (24) and Felix (21), with his ex-wife Alexandria, Countess of Frederiksborg. He is also father to sons Henrik, 14, and Athena, 11, with his current wife Princess Marie, whom he married in 2008.
Asked about the decision, the monarch said the choice would allow Joachim’s children to shape their lives.
“This is something I’ve thought about for a long time and I think it’s good for their future,” she said (via Hello! ). “that’s why.”
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