Queen Margrethe II of Denmark announces her abdication
The Queen of Denmark has announced her intention to abdicate and hand over the reins to her eldest son, Crown Prince Frederik. Margrethe II has been ruling the country for 52 years.
The Queen announced her intentions during her New Year's speech. Eurointegration, citing TV2, reports that the replacement of the throne will take place on January 14.
"I am leaving the throne to my son, Crown Prince Frederick," the Queen said and added, "I have decided that now is the right time. On January 14, 2024 - 52 years after I succeeded my beloved father - I will step down as Queen of Denmark."
Thus, the Queen broke the tradition of transferring power after the death of the monarch, which the royal house had been following for many generations. In addition, after the change of the throne, the Queen will continue to be titled Her Majesty.
It is noted that this decision may have been influenced by the back surgery that the Queen underwent in 2023. She said, "The operation, of course, also gave rise to reflections on the future: whether it is time to pass on responsibility to the next generation."
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen responded to the monarch's statement. He expressed his gratitude to the Queen and called her "the personification of Denmark".
"Many of us have never known another monarch. Queen Margrethe is the embodiment of Denmark and for many years has put words and feelings into who we are as a people and as a nation," Mette said.