Change has come to the Danish royal family. Her Majesty the Queen Margrethe II ended her 52-year-long reign yesterday. The monarch has been succeeded by her eldest son Crown Prince Frederik, now King Frederik the 10th. The news became an enormous thing all over the world since Margrethe broke a nearly 900-year tradition by abdicating the throne. However, the news doesn’t come as a shock as the queen has previously shared her plans for abdication in her New Year’s address due to health issues. Let’s dig into the complete details of the story.
Queen Margrethe officially signed a declaration of her abdication
On January 14, during a meeting of the Council of State at Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen, the 85-year-old monarch signed a declaration of her abdication. Although in Danish tradition succession takes place after the monarch’s death, Margrethe becomes the first in 900 years to break it. After, her abdication the new title has been assigned to her family members.
The Queen’s eldest son then Crown Prince Frederik succeeded her becoming King Frederik the 10th while his wife Mary, Crown Princess of Denmark took the title of Queen Consort. Their 18-year-old son Prince Christian is now the heir to the throne as the new Crown Prince. Also, Princess Isabella, 16, is next in life following her 13-year-old twin brother and sister Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine.
The last time the monarch abdicated was in 1146 when King Erik left his status to enter a monastery.
Her Majesty first reflected on her abdication plans on New Year’s Eve while talking about her recent back surgery last February, which “gave cause to thoughts about the future – whether now would be an appropriate time to pass on the responsibility to the next generation.”
Moreover, Margrethe who was married to Prince Henrik of Denmark until his death in 2018 addressed her 52-year-old long regin, “Thank you to the many, many people who on special occasions and in everyday life have embraced me and my family with kind words and thoughts, turning the years into a string of pearls. It is my hope that the new King and Queen will be met with the same trust and devotion which have fallen to my lot. They deserve it! Denmark deserves it!”
We hope she can fully enjoy her retirement after giving the Danish people a long and prosperous era.
