Jan M. Olsen
COPENHAGEN, Denmark – Denmark’s Prime Minister announced on Sunday that King Frederik declared as.
Margrethe, 83, became the first Danish monarch in nearly 900 years to voluntarily abdicate the throne. Thousands of people gathered outside the palace where the succession was taking place, marking the first time the Scandinavian nation experienced a succession to the throne in more than half a century, and there was an atmosphere of jubilation not caused by the death of the monarch. Ta.
Dressed in magenta, Margrethe met with the Danish cabinet at Christiansborg Palace and signed her abdication papers. The palace is a vast complex in Copenhagen that includes the royal reception rooms, the royal family, the Danish parliament, the prime minister’s office, and the supreme court. .
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen then proclaimed King Frederik from the balcony of the palace in front of thousands of spectators.
Abdication leaves Denmark with two queens
The abdication document was presented to Margrethe sitting at a huge table covered in red cloth, surrounded by members of the royal family and Danish government officials. Frederick, wearing a ceremonial uniform decorated with her medals, sat next to her.
After signing the document, Margrethe stood up and motioned for Frederik to take her place. “God, save the king,” she said as she left her room.
The abdication will leave Denmark with two queens. Margrethe will retain her title as Queen, while Frederick’s Australian-born wife will become Queen Mary. Frederick and Mary’s eldest son Christian (age 18) became Crown Prince and heir to the throne.
Christian handed Margrethe his cane as he left the abdication ceremony.
Citing health problems, Margrethe announced on New Year’s Eve that she would step down, surprising those who had expected her to spend the rest of her life on the throne, in keeping with Danish royal tradition. Margrethe underwent major surgery on her back in February last year and she did not return to her job until April.
Margrethe’s abdication was a surprise.
Even the Prime Minister was not aware of the Queen’s intentions until just before the announcement. Margrethe informed Frederik and his brother Joachim just three days ago, Berlinske newspaper reported, citing the palace.
People from all over Denmark gathered outside parliament. Many streets were decorated with red and white Danish flags. Photos of the queen and the next king were displayed in several shops, and city buses were adorned with small Danish flags, which are customary for royal events. Many others across the kingdom of around 6 million people watched live television coverage of the historic event.
The Royal Guards Band paraded through downtown Copenhagen every day, but to mark the big event, they wore red jackets instead of their usual black.
Copenhagen resident René Jensen, wearing a replica of a royal robe and a jeweled purple crown on his head, said she hoped Frederick would become “the king of the country who will represent us everywhere.” He said he was there.
The last time a Danish monarch voluntarily resigned was in 1146, when King Eric III of Rum resigned to enter a monastery. Margrethe abdicated on the same day she ascended the throne after the death of her father Frederick IX.
Denmark’s monarchy dates back to the 10th century Viking King Gorm the Elder, making it the oldest monarchy in Europe and one of the oldest in the world. Today, royal duties are largely ceremonial.
Australians also took to the streets of Copenhagen to celebrate the birth of their country’s queen.
“I think it’s good that she comes from a normal Australian background and not from a royal family. She comes from a middle-class background and so do we, so we can relate to that. ” said Judy Langtree, who made the long journey from Brisbane with her daughter to witness the royal event.
According to a survey commissioned by Denmark’s public broadcaster DR and released on Friday, 79% of 1,037 people surveyed by the Epinion polling agency believed Mr. Frederik was ready to take over the government, and 83% % said they thought his wife, Mary, was ready to take over. Queen. DR said the survey had a margin of error of 3 percentage points.