King Frederik X ascended the throne following Queen Margrethe II’s surprise announcement on live TV this month (AFP)
Copenhagen Denmark:
Denmark’s King Frederick
After a final procession in a horse-drawn carriage through the streets of Copenhagen, the hugely popular 83-year-old queen signed her abdication declaration at Christiansborg Palace, ending her 52-year reign and automatically giving birth to her son. It was decided that he would become the monarch.
She then left the State Council and was joined by the government, the new king and queen, and her 18-year-old son, the new Crown Prince Christian.
Margrethe left the room with tears in her eyes and said, “God bless the king.”
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen proclaimed the 55-year-old the new king on the balcony of Christiansborg Castle, the seat of parliament and government, in front of a crowd of Danes waving red and white flags.
Clad in the cold and dressed in an Admiral Gala uniform with gold epaulettes, Frederik was visibly moved and tearful as he waved to the crowd, estimated by media to be more than 100,000 people. He smiled and waved.
Like his mother, Frederic is also very popular, with over 80% of Danes following him.
“My mother, like few others, succeeded in becoming one with her motherland,” he told the crowd.
“My hope is to become a unified king in the future… It is a responsibility that I accept with respect, pride and great happiness,” he said, repeatedly placing his hand on his chest as the crowd cheered. .
“He’s going to be a great king. I’m looking forward to seeing how he does and showing more of himself,” said Rene Jensen, a Copenhagen resident wearing a red velvet robe. said René Jensen, a Copenhagen resident who prepared for the day by wearing one. Crown told AFP.
Later, Frederick was joined on the balcony by his Australian-born wife, Mary, wearing a white dress with her dark hair tied back in a bun, and their four teenage children.
Mary was the first Danish commoner to become queen.
The crowd cheered as the new king and queen kissed on the balcony.
This is only the second time a Danish monarch has resigned, the last being Eric III in 1146, some nine centuries ago.
“The soul of the nation”
Aske Julius, 27, from Copenhagen, called Margrethe “the embodiment of Denmark…the soul of the nation”.
“More than half of Denmark’s people don’t know anyone other than the queen,” he says.
Portraits and banners around the capital thanked the Queen for her years of service, and cheeky signs on the subway proclaimed: “Thank you for your ride, Margrethe.”
Some people read “Long Live the King.”
In keeping with Danish tradition, no foreign dignitaries or members of the royal family were invited to Sunday’s succession ceremony, and there was no coronation or conferment of the new monarch.
Margrethe chose to abdicate the following day, exactly 52 years after taking over from her father Frederick IX.
The queen surprised Danes by announcing her abdication in her annual New Year’s Eve televised address, after repeatedly insisting she would follow tradition and rule until death.
Even her own family was informed only three days ago.
She attributed her decision to health issues after undergoing major back surgery last year.
Margrethe holds the title of Queen and sometimes represents the royal family.
“Different” monarch
Experts say passing the baton to his son now will give him time to blossom into his role as monarch after gradually increasing his responsibilities.
“She thinks the crown prince is fully ready to take over, and that Prince Charles is over 70 years old when he becomes King Charles,” historian Lars Hobbacke Sorensen told AFP. “We want to avoid a situation like the one in the UK.”
He is expected to bring his own style to the monarchy, which dates back to the Viking era in the 10th century.
“He understood that he could not imitate her (the queen), and he succeeded in defining his own image and connection with the Danish people,” another historian, Bo Ridegaard, told AFP. Told.
His mother is known for her love of art and is an accomplished writer and artist, while Frederick is an avid sportsman who champions environmental causes.
In Denmark, the monarch’s role is largely ceremonial, but he signs laws, formally presides over the formation of the government, and meets regularly with ministers.
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