Danish Queen Margrethe II wants to give up her crown in January. This was announced by the monarch, who has reigned since 1972. She announced her intention to abdicate in her New Year’s speech broadcast on Danish television. “I will leave the throne to my son, Crown Prince Frederik,” said Margethe II. Since the death of the British Queen Elizabeth II, whose third cousin she was, the 83-year-old queen was considered the longest-serving regent in the world.
Margrethe II named January 14th as the date of her abdication. It is the anniversary of the death of her father Frederik IX. in 1972, the same day she ascended the throne. Crown Prince Frederik, who is now to become the new King of Denmark, the Faroe Islands and Greenland, is 55 years old.
Danish media described the announcement as “absolutely historic.” In her annual New Year’s Eve speech, the Queen discussed her back surgery this year. The operation went well thanks to the health workers, but it made her think about her future as queen.
First woman on the Danish throne in 500 years
Applause broke out among the onlookers who had gathered in the square in front of Amalienborg Palace after the announcement of the abdication. Margrethe II had always emphasized that she wanted to remain on the throne until her death. Their motto was “God’s help, the people’s love, Denmark’s strength”. She was Denmark’s first female ruler in 500 years. Her father Frederik IX. Only had the rules of succession changed in 1953 when it became clear that he would have no male descendants.
Because of her health problems, the Queen has occasionally been represented by Crown Prince Frederik and his wife Mary. Frederik’s eldest son, 18-year-old Prince Christian, has recently been allowed to officially represent the Queen.
Danish Queen Margrethe II wants to give up her crown in January. This was announced by the monarch, who has reigned since 1972. She announced her intention to abdicate in her New Year’s speech broadcast on Danish television. “I will leave the throne to my son, Crown Prince Frederik,” said Margethe II. Since the death of the British Queen Elizabeth II, whose third cousin she was, the 83-year-old queen was considered the longest-serving regent in the world.
Margrethe II named January 14th as the date of her abdication. It is the anniversary of the death of her father Frederik IX. in 1972, the same day she ascended the throne. Crown Prince Frederik, who is now to become the new King of Denmark, the Faroe Islands and Greenland, is 55 years old.