It’s a historic day in Denmark. Many of the almost six million Danes only know this one person at the head of their state: Queen Margrethe II. After exactly 52 years of reign, she abdicated and handed over the throne to her son Frederik. The change of throne has been formally completed and the previous Crown Prince Frederik is the new King of Denmark.
The second carriage ride
By the time King Frederik X and Queen Mary get into the carriage, Margrethe has long since driven home to Amalienborg Palace. People on the streets of the capital are still cheering for the two of them.
Even the youngest ones are clearly enjoying the joyful atmosphere: Princess Josephine, Crown Prince Christian’s youngest sister, waves from the car that follows the carriage.
The Proclamation
On the balcony of Christiansborg Palace, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen proclaims the new king and, together with the people in the square, shouts nine times: “Hurrah!” Frederik sheds a few tears. Then Queen Mary and Crown Prince Christian and his siblings enter the balcony to wave.
“My hope is to be a unifying king of tomorrow,” says Frederik X in his first speech. He ended his speech with his motto: “United, committed, for the Kingdom of Denmark.” After 15 minutes everything is over and the balcony door is closed again.
The abdication
Margrethe II makes it short and painless: She signs the certificate of abdication in the presence of the State Council – this means that Denmark has a new king: Frederik X. When Margrethe rises from the chair, her grandson, the 18-year-old Crown Prince Christian, hands her a walking stick. “God save the king,” said Margrethe before she left the hall and drove to Amalienborg Palace.
The first carriage ride
At 1.45 p.m. sharp, Margrethe II sets off for Christiansborg Palace in the “Golden Wedding Carriage”. The vehicle is equipped somewhat more modernly for royal standards; you can switch the lights on and off inside and out.
In downtown Copenhagen, the crowd cheers and waves to their 83-year-old queen.
The waiting onlookers
The first people have been waiting in front of Christiansborg Palace, the seat of the Danish government, since 6 a.m. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen will later proclaim the new king here. No throne, no crown, the Danes carry out the change of throne rather modestly – but that doesn’t stop a few royal fans from playing a bit of coronation.
With temperatures hovering around freezing point, this royal fan’s nose glows almost as red as the Danish flags the woman has pinned to her inflatable crown.
Others keep warm by waving flags – or simply tying the flag around their shoulders. The Dannebrog, as the Danish flag is also called, can be seen throughout the city. They want to use it to wave to Queen Margrethe II as she drives through the city in her “Golden Wedding Carriage”.
The Australian flag can also be seen. After all, the new Queen Mary comes from Tasmania. The Pacific island belongs to the state of Australia. Mary and Frederik met in Sydney during the Summer Olympics in 2000.
The toilet blocks are also decorated for the occasion.
Meanwhile, the guard of honor is marching on the square in front of Amalienborg Palace, where the queen lives.
Margrethe II was Queen of the Danes for exactly 52 years to the day and is very popular with the people. The fact that she is now resigning came as a surprise to most people. The Queen has always emphasized that she wants to fulfill her duties until the end of her life. Back surgery almost a year ago caused her change of heart, she now says. It is time to pass on responsibility to the next generation.