Queen Margrethe's shocking abdication announcement has many royal watchers wondering if something is rotten in Denmark.
On New Year's Eve, the 83-year-old announced plans to step down after 52 years and hand over the throne to her son, Crown Prince Frederick.
The decision came months after the Spanish socialite denied rumors that the future king's 55-year-old wife had an affair while he was traveling abroad.
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark makes her last public appearance before abdicating the throne
Queen Margrethe II gives a New Year's speech in Copenhagen, Denmark, on December 31, 2023, announcing her upcoming abdication. (Keld Nabuntoft/Ritzau Scanpics/AFP)
“Of course, these rumors were neither verified nor denied by the Danish royal family, but the timing of this announcement by Queen Margrethe was highly suspicious.” Royal expert Hilary Fordwich he told FOX News Digital. “…Furthermore, Queen Margrethe most recently denied her intention to abdicate.” [a year prior]. ”
In November, several Spanish media outlets published photos of Frederic and model and philanthropist Genoveva Casanova during a private trip to Madrid.
During an outing in late October, the two visited the Picasso exhibit at the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum. They also took walks in the park and had dinner together.
Crown Prince Mary of Denmark and Crown Prince Frederik tried to put on a brave face in the wake of the gossip. (Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images)
according to Hi!magazine, A mutual friend was originally scheduled to accompany the prince on his visit to Madrid, but reportedly fell ill after contracting the coronavirus. So his friends asked Casanova, known as an expert on Picasso's art, to entertain the royal family on their behalf. The newspaper noted that the two appeared “normally” in public and did not hide their identities with sunglasses, scarves or hats.
Rumors of an affair were reinforced by the tabloids, prompting Casanova to speak out. The 47-year-old did not immediately respond to FOX News Digital's request for comment at the time. A spokesperson for the Danish royal family told Fox News Digital that they “do not comment on rumors or innuendo.”
The TV personality said, “Hola!” She will not tolerate the spread of malicious gossip.
Click here to sign up for our entertainment newsletter
Genoveva Casanova said she will not tolerate malicious rumors. (Juan Najaro Jimenez/WireImage)
Casanova told the newspaper: “I categorically deny any statements that suggest a romantic relationship between Prince Frederick and me.'' “These types of statements are not only completely false, they maliciously distort the facts.”
“This is already in the hands of my lawyers, who will take appropriate steps to protect my honor, truth, and privacy rights,” she added.
Danish news site Dagens.com noted that Mr. Frederic's visit to Madrid took place while his wife was visiting New York for United Nations Day.
The crown prince will be King Frederick X of Denmark, and Australian-born Crown Princess Mary will become queen. (Mads Klaus Rasmussen/Litzau Scanpics/AFP)
The newspaper said Casanova was born in Mexico but is based in Spain. From 2005 to 2007, she was married to equestrian Cayetano Martinez, the current Count of Salvatierra and Duke of Arjona.
Frederick and Princess Mary celebrated their 19th wedding anniversary in May. The two met in Australia in 2000, when the prince was visiting for the Sydney Summer Olympics. Former advertising executive Mary Donaldson fell in love with Fred at a local bar, unaware she was talking to the heir to the thousand-year-old Danish throne, People magazine says. reported.
The two dated long-distance before getting engaged in 2004, and announced they were getting married that year. They are the parents of four children.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark and his bride Princess Mary kiss after the wedding ceremony in Copenhagen, Denmark, May 14, 2004. (Ian Waldie/Getty Images)
“Like Kate, Duchess of England, Princess Mary is loved by the public,” Fordwich explained. “Like Kate, that can be attributed to her down-to-earth upbringing. They both have families of their own and have the support to take on difficult tasks. As a result, both of them Both have the backbone of stealing.”
Royal expert Shannon Felton Spence told Fox News Digital that there are already signs that the Queen will abdicate.
Felton Spence explained: “Some time ago, the Queen removed the title for her second son's children, tightening the lines of succession to the throne.'' “For me, this was the first sign that an abdication was imminent. This was long before the extramarital affair scandal. The slimming down of the monarchy is a move into the future…The timing of the extramarital affair allegations is simply It was just bad luck. I think this decision was made in a hurry? No. All signals indicate that it is in development for the near future. ”
Queen Margrethe said she was forced to resign for health reasons. (Julian Parker/British Press)
In March 2023, the Queen's second son Prince Joachim announced his move to Washington, DC. Prince Joachim, 54, has taken up a new position at the Danish embassy, which is part of the Ministry of Defence. He previously lived in France.
The announcement was significant as the Queen had previously revealed that she would strip Joachim's four children of their titles of prince and princess. In early 2023, they became known as His Excellency the Count of Montpezat instead of His Royal Highness.
Joachim told Danish outlet BT that he had not spoken to his mother, brother and sister-in-law after the shocking news. He also claimed that “unfortunately” there had been no connection between them and the monarchy since the announcement of the title change.
Like what you’re reading? Click here for more entertainment news
Prince Joachim pictured with his family in Copenhagen, circa 2022. (Mads Klaus Rasmussen/Litzau Scanpics/AFP)
“It’s also a family, or whatever we want to call it,” he said.
Joachim is sixth in line to the Danish throne. His children will hold the current 7th to 10th place in the line of succession.
“Her Majesty, by her own decision, has created a framework in which her four grandchildren will be able to shape their lives more broadly, without being limited by the special considerations and obligations that come with formal affiliation with the Danish Royal Family.” We want to create this because we are committed to it as an institution,” the palace said in an earlier statement.
Prince Joachim is pictured with Britain's Prince Harry. The Duke of Sussex lives in California with his wife Meghan Markle. (Chris Jackson – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
It is believed that this change was made to streamline the future of the monarchy. However, Joachim insisted that family should come first.
“The reality still has to be this. Whether you modernize or slim down, it has to be done in the right way,” he told the outlet. “It's about children. Order and children. This is a very heavy issue.”
The Queen apologized for upsetting her family with the decision. However, she refused to change her mind.
Denmark's Prince Christian refuses British royal pension he was due to receive on his 18th birthday
Prince Joachim and Princess Marie of Denmark attend a celebratory dinner held at Christiansborg Palace on September 11, 2022, during a ceremony to mark the 50th anniversary of the Queen of Denmark's accession to the throne. (Mads Klaus Rasmussen/Litzau Scanpics/AFP)
“It is my duty and desire as Queen to ensure that the monarchy remains in tune with the times. At times this means having to make difficult decisions, but at the right time. It’s always hard to find,” she said. In a statement.
“This adjustment…I believe it is necessary to protect the future of the monarchy…I have made the decision as a queen, as a mother and as a grandmother. But as a mother and grandmother, “I underestimated the extent to which my second son was affected. “He and his family feel affected. It's a big impression and I'm sorry for that.”
Queen Margrethe is the mother of two sons. (Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Images)
“It's never fun to see your children being abused like that,” Joachim told Ekstra Vladet daily in Paris. “They're in a situation they don't understand.”
Asked how this decision affected his relationship with his mother, Joachim replied: “I don't think it's necessary to elaborate here.''
Joachim remained silent following his mother's latest announcement.
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark announces she will step down from the throne: 'The time is now'
Queen Margrethe rides a horse-drawn carriage from Christian IX Palace at Amalienborg Castle to Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen, Denmark, Thursday, January 4, 2024. (Emil Nikolai Helms/Ritzau Scanpics, via AP)
Felton Spence said: “It's not uncommon for European monarchs to abdicate in favor of their middle-aged children.” “With the departure of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, I think we will see a change in Europe's aging monarchs over the next few years. Look at Sweden and Norway.”
Margrethe said the back surgery she underwent in early 2023 made her “think about the future” and when she would hand over the responsibilities of the throne to her son.
“I have decided that now is the right time,” she said in a speech.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
