Queen Margrethe II quits. In her New Year’s speech, which traditionally enjoys dream ratings on TV, the popular monarch announced her retirement, which will end in January. A role model for other royal families in the north?
Actually, she had always said that she would never abdicate, but would remain queen until she “fell from the cane”. She also hadn’t let anyone in on her decision. The Danes were accordingly surprised when 83-year-old Queen Margrethe II announced her resignation in her New Year’s speech on Sunday evening. “It’s a bomb that will drown out even the biggest New Year’s rocket,” wrote Birgitte Borup from the daily newspaper Berlingske. “We had tears in our eyes,” said Peter Thygesen, editor-in-chief and long-time court reporter Policies. Historian Michael Bregnsbo wrote that one would have to “go back to the 12th or 13th century to find a king who voluntarily left the throne.” Mette Frederiksen, the Danish prime minister, thanked the queen “from the heart on behalf of the entire population for her lifelong commitment and tireless efforts for the kingdom. Many of us have never known another female regent.”