Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II to abdicate after 52 years on the throne

Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II has announced that she plans to leave the throne to make way for her son, Crown Prince Frederik, on 14 January 2024, the 52nd anniversary of her accession. The 83-year-old monarch, who is the world’s only current queen regnant and the longest-serving current female head of state, made the announcement during her annual New Year’s Eve address on 31 December 2023.

“Today I have decided to announce that I will abdicate on 14 January 2024, the day when I have been your queen for 52 years,” she said. “It has been a great privilege and a joy to serve Denmark and the Danish people for so long. I am deeply grateful for the trust and support that you have given me throughout the years.”

She added that she was confident that her son, who is 54 years old, was ready to take over the role of head of state and represent Denmark at home and abroad. “He has shown that he has the qualities and the skills that are required for the task. He has my full support and blessing. I know that he will be a good and wise king for Denmark,” she said.

Queen Margrethe II, who is also the supreme authority of the Church of Denmark and the commander-in-chief of the Danish Defence, said that she would not retire completely from public life, but would reduce her engagements and duties. She also said that she hoped that the Danish people would continue to show their loyalty and affection to the royal family and the monarchy.

The Queen’s decision to abdicate came as a surprise to many, as she had previously stated that she would not follow the example of other European monarchs who had stepped down in recent years, such as King Juan Carlos of Spain, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, and King Albert II of Belgium. She had said that abdication was not a tradition in the Danish monarchy, and that she had a duty to serve for life.

However, she also said that she had been thinking about the future of the monarchy for a long time, and that she wanted to adapt to the changing times and expectations of the society. She said that she had consulted with her family, the government, and the parliament before making her decision, and that she had received their approval and respect.

The Queen’s announcement was met with mixed reactions from the Danish public and the media. Some praised her for her long and successful reign, and for her courage and wisdom to pass on the torch to the next generation. Others expressed sadness and disappointment, and said that they would miss her presence and personality. Some also questioned the timing and the motive of her decision, and wondered if there were any health or personal issues behind it.

The Queen’s abdication will mark the end of an era for Denmark and the Danish monarchy, which traces its roots back to the 10th century. Queen Margrethe II, who was born a week after the Nazi invasion of Denmark in 1940, ascended the throne in 1972, after a constitutional amendment in 1953 allowed women to inherit the throne. She was the first female monarch of Denmark since Margrethe I, who ruled in the 14th and 15th centuries.

During her reign, Queen Margrethe II has witnessed and participated in many historical and social changes, both in Denmark and in the world. She has been a popular and respected figure, known for her artistic talents, her intellectual interests, and her personal style. She has also been a modern and progressive monarch, who has supported the democratic development, the welfare state, and the international cooperation of Denmark. She has received 42 official state visits and she has undertaken 55 foreign state visits herself

Her son, Crown Prince Frederik, who is married to Australian-born Crown Princess Mary, will become King Frederik X of Denmark upon his mother’s abdication. He will be the 42nd monarch of Denmark, and the fourth king of the House of Glücksburg, a cadet branch of the House of Oldenburg. He has four children: Prince Christian, 18, Princess Isabella, 16, and twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, 12. Prince Christian will become the heir apparent to the throne, and the first in line to inherit the title of Prince of Greenland, which is held by the Danish monarch since 1953

The abdication ceremony will take place at Christiansborg Palace, the seat of the Danish parliament, the supreme court, and the prime minister’s office. The Queen will sign a document of abdication, and then hand over the symbols of her authority, such as the crown, the sceptre, and the orb, to her son. The new king will then take an oath of allegiance to the constitution, and receive the homage of the members of the parliament, the government, the judiciary, and the royal family. The ceremony will be followed by a service of thanksgiving at the Copenhagen Cathedral, and a carriage procession through the city. The celebrations will conclude with a gala dinner at the Amalienborg Palace, the official residence of the royal family

The abdication of Queen Margrethe II will be a historic and emotional event for Denmark and the Danish people, who have grown accustomed to her presence and leadership for more than half a century. It will also be a moment of transition and renewal for the monarchy and the nation, as a new king and a new generation take on the responsibility and the challenge of representing and serving Denmark in the 21st century