First Ever Queen Of Denmark Abdicates; Ends Longest Reign By Monarch In Europe
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark surprised the nation by announcing her abdication during her New Year's Eve speech on Sunday.
The 83-year-old monarch, the first female Danish sovereign under a new law, revealed that she will step down on Jan. 14, 2024, 52 years after succeeding her father. Her son, Crown Prince Frederik, will succeed her as the new King of Denmark.
In her speech, Queen Margrethe cited her age and health issues as the reasons for her unexpected decision.
"In 14 days, I will have been Queen of Denmark for 52 years. Such a long time does not pass without a trace for any human being -- not even me! Time wears on, and the 'diseases' increase. You no longer cope with the same things as you once could," she said, per an English translation of the official speech transcription.
This announcement follows a February revelation that Queen Margrethe underwent extensive back surgery, leading her to contemplate the future and whether it was time to pass the baton to the next generation.
The date of abdication, Jan. 14, is significant, as it marks the day in 1972 when her father, King Frederik IX, passed away, leading to her ascendancy.
In a post on Instagram Sunday, the Danish Royal House said that the Queen expressed gratitude to her supporters and the people of Denmark.
She thanked the country's changing governments and the Parliament for their confidence and acknowledged the "overwhelming warmth and support" she received throughout the years.
The announcement of Queen Margrethe's abdication shocked the nation, with some citizens getting emotional over the news.
According to The Guardian, Martin Ebmark, a Danish hotelier, described it as a "real shock."
"She's been there since 1972. Since I was born. She's taken care of us for so long, it was ... emotional," Ebmark told the publication.
Morten Pelch, a Vejle-based PR professional, broke down in tears, telling the outlet that "today, all of Denmark is crying."
Queen Margrethe became Denmark's longest-sitting monarch in July after more than five decades on the throne.
She also became the longest-serving monarch in Europe following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022.
She was the first woman allowed to inherit the throne in Denmark following the 1953 Act of Succession.
Her decision to step down comes after the death of her husband, Prince Henrik, in 2018. The couple shared two children, Crown Prince Frederik and Prince Joachim.
Unlike his British counterpart, no coronation is expected to be held for King Frederik X.
According to The Guardian, he will be pronounced king during a cabinet meeting and will be presented from a balcony by Denmark Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.
Denmark's Queen Margrethe (L), Crown Prince Frederik (R) and Prince Christian wave to the cheering crowd, from the balcony of Frederik VIII at Amalienborg Castle in Copenhagen, during the celebration of his 18th birthday on October 15, 2023.
