Europe’s current longest-reigning monarch will step down on January 14th. She was succeeded by her eldest son, Crown Prince Frederick, who became Frederick X.
Thursday 4 January 2024 15:42, United Kingdom
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark rode through the capital in a golden carriage after New Year’s celebrations in her final public appearance as monarch before abdicating this month.
Europe’s currently longest-serving monarch will step down from office on Sunday, January 14, exactly 52 years since his accession to the throne in 1972.
The 83-year-old will be succeeded by her eldest son, Crown Prince Frederick, who will become King Frederick X.
Her resignation is the first in Europe’s oldest monarchy in nearly 900 years.
On Thursday, the Queen rode through the streets of Copenhagen on horseback as thousands of people braved the frigid weather to cheer her on.
The so-called gold coach (a 19th-century horse-drawn carriage covered in 24-carat gold leaf and topped with four golden crowns) was pulled by six white horses and escorted by members of the Light Horse Regiment.
The carriage is used to transport the King from his royal residence at Amalienborg Palace to Christiansborg Palace during traditional New Year celebrations.
Queen Margrethe II enjoyed a ride in the so-called Gold Coach on Thursday
Christiansborg Palace is used for official royal functions such as gala dinners and public audiences, and also houses the Danish Parliament, the Prime Minister’s Office, and the Danish Supreme Court.
It is located about 800 meters from Amalienborg Palace.
Earlier this week, the Queen held a series of events to greet the Danish government, parliament, top civil and military officials, and diplomats.
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Queen Margrethe’s reign in photos
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The Queen is expected to sign her formal abdication next Sunday at the Council of State, a meeting with the Danish government, making Frederick, 55, and his Australian-born wife Mary, 51, king and queen. Denmark.
In some European countries, monarchs have abdicated to allow younger royals to take over, but Denmark has no such tradition.
The Queen has insisted for years that she would not quit. But her health changed that.
inside her Annual New Year’s TV speech On New Year’s Eve, the Queen said that her back surgery in early 2023 had caused her to “think about the future” and consider when she would hand over the responsibilities of the throne to her son.
“We decided now was the right time,” she said.