Queen Margrethe II of Denmark announced her plans to abdicate from the throne during her annual New Year’s Eve televised address on December 31st, 2023.
The shock announcement meant her son Crown Prince Frederik and his wife, Crown Princess Mary would become the new King and Queen of Denmark.
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During the televised speech, the Queen revealed her plans to abdicate on January 14, 2024 after 52 years on the throne.
“In two weeks time I have been Queen of Denmark for 52 years,” she said at the time. That length of time would take its time on anyone, she added. “One cannot undertake as much as one managed in the past…
“On 14th January, 2024 — 52 years after I succeeded my beloved father — I will step down as Queen of Denmark. I will hand over the throne to my son Crown Prince Frederik.”
Citing age and health issues, the Queen explained that she made the decision to abdicate after having back surgery in early 2023.
“The surgery naturally gave rise to thinking about the future — whether the time had come to leave the responsibility to the next generation.”
A spokesperson for the royal palace has since revealed to Danish newspaper Berlingske that Crown Prince Frederik and Prince Joachim only became aware of their mother’s decision to abdicate three days before her public announcement.
Queen Margrethe is Denmark’s longest-serving monarch, she became Europe’s longest-serving head of state and only female serving head of state following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022.
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Queen Margrethe became the first woman allowed to inherit the throne in her country after the 1953 Act of Succession which ”gave women the right of succession to the Danish Throne…however only secondarily,” according to Denmark’s official website.
The Act of Succession was then amended again in 2009, ”when fully equality in the succession to the throne was introduced. That means the regent’s oldest child – regardless of gender – inherits the throne (so-called primogeniture).”
Queen Margrethe’s decision to abdicate means Denmark will now have an Aussie-born queen. Born Mary Elizabeth Donaldson, Hobart-born Princess Mary met Prince Frederik at a Sydney pub 23 years ago during the Sydney Olympics.
After marrying in 2004 the couple welcomed four children; Prince Christian Valdemar Henri John, Princess Isabella Henrietta Ingrid Margrethe, Prince Vincent Frederik Minik Alexander, and Princess Josephine Sophia Ivalo Mathilda.
Following his coronation, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess will be known as His Majesty King Frederik X and Her Majesty Queen Mary, whilst their eldest son, and heir apparent will be known as His Royal Highness Crown Prince Christian.
The Danish palace has also confirmed that Margrethe will continue to bear the title of Her Majesty Queen Margrethe.
Following the Queen’s announcement, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen released a statement praising the long-reigning monarch.
“On behalf of the entire population, I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Her Majesty The Queen for her lifelong dedication and tireless efforts for the Kingdom,” she said in a statement.
“Queen Margrethe is the epitome of Denmark and throughout the years has put words and feelings into who we are as a people and as a nation.”
