breaking news
Denmark has a new king. The previous monarch Margrethe II signed her abdication certificate in Copenhagen. Her son Frederik succeeds to the throne.
Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II has abdicated and handed over the throne to her son Frederik after 52 years of reign. The 83-year-old signed her declaration of abdication in Copenhagen. Her 55-year-old son, the current Crown Prince Frederik, will succeed her on the throne as King Frederik X. Frederik’s wife Mary, who is of Australian descent, changes from crown princess to queen. Her eldest son, 18-year-old Christian, receives the title of crown prince.
At around 3 p.m., Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen Frederik X will proclaim the new king from the balcony of the government and parliamentary headquarters at Christiansborg Palace.
Margrethe announced her decision at short notice
It is the first time in almost 900 years that a Danish monarch has voluntarily given up the throne. Margrethe announced her abdication in her New Year’s speech, citing health problems. She had major back surgery in February and was only able to return to work in April.
Even Prime Minister Frederiksen had not been informed of the Queen’s plan to hand over the throne to her son until shortly before the announcement. Heir to the throne Frederik and his brother Joachim were informed three days in advance, the newspaper “Berlingske” reported, citing the royal palace.
Margrethe was 31 years old when she ascended the Danish throne on January 14, 1972. A few hours earlier, her father, King Frederik IX. died as a result of a lung infection.