Why did Queen Margrethe of Denmark abdicate the throne? Explore her announcement on live broadcast

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, who ascended the throne in 1972, will abdicate on January 14th after 52 years on the throne, leaving her eldest son, Crown Prince Frederik, to succeed her. The surprise announcement was made live during her traditional New Year’s Eve speech, which was watched by many people in the country of 5.9 million people.

Queen Margrethe of Denmark abdicates the throne

Queen Margrethe, born in 1940 to King Frederik IX and Queen Ingrid, is a Danish monarch known for her quick wit and creative personality. She also has a passion for archaeology, and she has participated in numerous excavations.

In 1953, the constitution was amended to allow women to inherit the throne, and Queen Margrethe became heir to the throne at the age of 13. In 1967 she married French diplomat Henri de Laborde de Montpezat, who served as her royal consort until her death in 2018. Their two sons were Crown Prince Frederick, who later became Frederick X, and Prince Joachim. Frederick married Australian Mary Elizabeth Donaldson in 2004.

On December 31, 2023, Queen Margrethe mentioned that the hip surgery she underwent in February 2023 was a success and said, “After undergoing the surgery, I naturally began to think about the future.It’s time to hand over responsibility to the next generation.” Has it come?” he said. “I have decided that now is the right time. On January 14, 2024, 52 years after succeeding her beloved father, I will step down as Queen of Denmark. Her throne will pass to her son. I will hand it over to Crown Prince Frederick.” Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom in September 2022, she became Europe’s monarch. In July, she became Denmark’s longest-reigning monarch.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen thanked the Queen for her lifelong dedication to public service. “It remains difficult to understand that the time has come for her to be replaced,” Frederiksen said in her statement. “Queen Margrethe is the epitome of Denmark, and over the years she has put her words and emotions into us as a people and a nation,” she said.

Did Queen Margrethe abdicate to protect her son’s marriage?

Queen Margrethe of Denmark’s sudden abdication is rumored to be motivated by a desire to protect her son Crown Prince Frederik’s marriage to Crown Princess Mary. In November 2023, rumors swirled that the crown prince was having an affair with Mexican-born socialite Geneveva Casanova after they were photographed together during a private trip to Madrid.

Phil Dampier, a long-time author and royal critic, said: telegraph paper“The Queen probably did this because she feared the marriage would break up and the royal family would lose Mary. That would have caused big problems. I’m here.”

Dampier continued: “It seems like pure coincidence that she would make this unexpected announcement just months after the Prince of Wales’s affair allegations surfaced. Two weeks later, the Prince and Princess… are to appear together as King and Queen, and they will have to deal with it. The Queen thinks that by making up for their differences, it will save their marriage. Maybe there is.”

Queen Margrethe, Prince Frederik, and Princess Mary appeared to be in good spirits as they attended a New Year’s dinner at Amalienborg Castle in Copenhagen on Monday, January 1st. Queen Margrethe shook her hand as she entered her palace, and she smiled as Frederik and Mary, who have four children, arrived together.