- Queen Margrethe II of Denmark officially abdicated on Sunday after 52 years on the throne.
- Her eldest son, Crown Prince Frederick, succeeded her. His new title is King Frederick X.
- Margrethe announced on New Year’s Eve that she would step down after 52 years in power.
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark has officially abdicated her throne after 52 years.
After Queen Elizabeth II died in September 2022, Margrethe became Europe’s longest-living monarch.
On Sunday, Denmark’s royal family signed the abdication document at Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen, in the presence of their eldest son Frederick, 55, who is now king.
Previously known as Crown Prince Frederick, his new name is King Federic X.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also witnessed the historic moment along with other members of the Danish government.
After signing the document, the 83-year-old monarch, who will retain her title as queen, rose from her seat at the head of the table and gestured for her son to take her place, according to the Associated Press.
After she did so, Frederick X’s son Christian, 18, moved into the king’s seat as the new heir to the throne, the paper reported. His new title is Crown Prince Christian.
“God save the king,” Queen Margrethe said before leaving the room, according to the Associated Press. The Danish royal family’s Instagram account also shared a video of the moment.
Princess Mary, the Australian-born wife of King Frederick X, became Queen Mary. The couple’s younger children, Princess Isabella, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, are currently second, third and fourth in line to the Danish throne, respectively.
After signing the abdication document, Frederick was proclaimed king by the Prime Minister from the balcony of the palace.
Queen Margrethe made the surprising revelation that she would be stepping down from office on December 31, 2023, in her traditional New Year’s Eve speech.
King Frederick
“My mother, Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II, ruled Denmark for 52 years,” he said. “For half a century, she used our common heritage as an outlet to follow her time. She will forever be remembered as her transcendent regent,” he continued.
He said he took great pride in his new role and asked his wife and children for support.
“I face the future knowing that I am not standing alone. United and united in the Kingdom of Denmark,” he said.
Margrethe became queen in 1972 at the age of 31 after her father, King Frederik IX, died of complications from pneumonia. Her abdication took place on the 52nd anniversary of her succession.
In her New Year’s Eve speech, Margrethe said she underwent “extensive” back surgery in February 2023, which influenced her decision to abdicate.
“Thanks to the talented medical professionals who looked after me, everything went well. Inevitably, this surgery made me think about the future. Now is the time to pass the responsibility on to the next generation. “Is this the right time?” the monarch said. .
She becomes the first Danish monarch to abdicate in more than 900 years. The last was King Eric in 1146, who abdicated his throne and went to a monastery, according to the Danish Royal Family website.
The change comes as drama within the Danish royal family unfolds in front of the public.