COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) – Denmark's Queen Margrethe II signed a historic abdication on Sunday, paving the way for her son Frederick X to immediately become king, Danish broadcaster DR reported.
Margrethe, 83, became the first Danish monarch to voluntarily abdicate the throne in nearly 900 years, since King Eric III Lamb abdicated in 1146 and entered a monastery.
She signed her abdication during a meeting with the Danish cabinet at Christiansborg Palace. The palace is a vast complex in Copenhagen that includes the royal reception rooms and royal residences, as well as the Danish parliament, the prime minister's office, and the supreme court. The document was presented to her as she sat at a huge table covered in red cloth, surrounded by members of the royal family and Danish government officials.
COPENHAGEN, DENMARK – JANUARY 14: Queen Margrethe II of Denmark heads to the proclamation of King Frederick X of Denmark and Queen Mary at Amalienborg Palace Square on January 14, 2024 in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Photo by Martin Sylvest Andersen/Getty Images)
Frederick, 55, was also in the room. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen will next be proclaimed king in front of thousands of spectators on the palace balcony.
Frederick's 18-year-old son Christian, who will become Crown Prince of Denmark and heir to the throne, also attended.
COPENHAGEN, DENMARK – JANUARY 14: Poster shows Crown Prince Frederick of Denmark and Queen Margrethe II before the crown prince is proclaimed as the new King Frederick X of Denmark on January 14, 2024 in Copenhagen, Denmark It is shown. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
As the moment approached, Margrethe left the mansion for Christiansborg Palace in a horse-drawn carriage, escorted by members of the blue-uniformed Light Horse Regiment with red jackets on horses. There she plans to formally sign her abdication.
His son and his wife, Crown Princess Mary, also traveled to the palace in a limousine. Royal standards are then lowered in Margrethe's house and raised in the building where Frederick and Mary live.
COPENHAGEN, DENMARK – JANUARY 14: Queen Margrethe II of Denmark heads to the proclamation of King Frederick X of Denmark and Queen Mary at Amalienborg Palace Square on January 14, 2024 in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Photo by Martin Sylvest Andersen/Getty Images)
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.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was also unaware of the Queen's intentions until shortly before the announcement. Margrethe informed Frederik and his brother Joachim just three days ago, Berlinske newspaper reported, citing the palace.
The abdication will leave Denmark with two queens, with Margrethe retaining her title and Frederick's Australian-born wife Mary becoming queen. Frederick and Mary's eldest son Christian (age 18) will become Crown Prince and heir to the throne.
COPENHAGEN, DENMARK – JANUARY 14: The carriage of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark as crowds wave Danish flags ahead of the proclamation of Crown Prince Frederick X as the new King of Denmark on January 14, 2024 in Copenhagen, Denmark. arrives. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
People from all over Denmark gathered outside parliament and many streets were decorated with red and white Danish flags. Photos of the queen and the next king were displayed in some shops, and small Danish flags were displayed on city buses, as is customary at 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, DENMARK – JANUARY 14: Guard of honor prepares ahead of the proclamation of King Frederick X of Denmark and Queen Mary at Amalienborg Palace Square on January 14, 2024 in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Photo by Martin Sylvest Andersen/Getty Images)
Copenhagen resident René Jensen, wearing a replica of a royal robe and a jeweled purple crown on his head, says Frederick will be “the king of the country who will represent us everywhere.” He said he was looking forward to it.
The last time a Danish monarch voluntarily resigned was in 1146, when King Eric III of Rum resigned to enter a monastery. Margrethe will abdicate on the same day she ascended the throne following the death of her father, Frederick IX.
COPENHAGEN, DENMARK – JANUARY 14: Prayer wearing crowns and coronation robes gather outside Christiansborg Palace on January 14, 2024 in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
Denmark's monarchy dates back to the 10th century Viking King Gorm the Elder, making it the oldest 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 we do too, so we empathize with that.” You can,'' said Judy Langtree, who made the long journey from Brisbane with her daughter to witness the royal event.
COPENHAGEN, DENMARK – JANUARY 14: A young boy wears a crown and waves a flag ahead of the proclamation of Crown Prince Frederick X of Denmark as the new King of Denmark on January 14, 2024 in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
Unlike England, there is no coronation ceremony in Denmark. The prime minister will formally proclaim King Frederik's accession to the throne from the balcony of Christiansborg Palace, which houses government offices, parliament, the Supreme Court, as well as the royal stables and royal reception room.
Four guns in Copenhagen's harbor will fire 27 shots three times to commemorate the succession. Copenhagen's Tivoli Gardens amusement park will celebrate the new king and queen in the late afternoon with the biggest fireworks show in the park's 180-year history.
COPENHAGEN, DENMARK – JANUARY 14: The Hussar Guards arrives ahead of the proclamation of King Frederick X of Denmark and Queen Mary at Amalienborg Palace Square on January 14, 2024 in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Photo by Martin Sylvest Andersen/Getty Images)
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, 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.
