In a stunning revelation during her traditional New Year's Eve speech, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, Europe's longest-serving monarch, announced her abdication after 52 years on the throne. The 83-year-old queen, who ascended to the throne in 1972, disclosed her decision on live TV, catching the attention of many in the country of 5.9 million people.
The unexpected announcement came as Queen Margrethe II reflected on her successful back operation in February, stating, "The surgery naturally gave rise to thinking about the future - whether the time had come to leave the responsibility to the next generation." She revealed that she has chosen January 14, 2024, as the date for stepping down as the queen of Denmark.
During the televised address, Queen Margrethe II expressed her decision to pass the throne to her eldest son, Crown Prince Frederik. This move marks a historic transition for the Danish monarchy.
Queen Margrethe II held the title of Europe's longest-serving monarch following the death of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022. In July, she achieved the milestone of becoming the longest-sitting monarch in Denmark's history.
In Denmark, the monarch's role is largely symbolic, with formal power resting with the elected parliament and government. The queen is expected to remain above partisan politics, carrying out traditional duties such as state visits and national day celebrations.
Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen expressed gratitude to Queen Margrethe II for her lifelong dedication to duty. In a statement, Frederiksen remarked on the difficulty of accepting the imminent change of throne, noting that many Danes have never known another monarch. She praised Queen Margrethe II as the embodiment of Denmark, attributing words and feelings to the nation throughout the years.
Born in 1940 to former monarch King Frederik IX and Queen Ingrid, Queen Margrethe II has enjoyed broad support from Danes for her tactful and creative personality. Her interests in archaeology, demonstrated through her participation in several excavations, have also contributed to her popularity.
Queen Margrethe II became heir to her father in 1953 at the age of 31, following a constitutional amendment that allowed women to inherit the throne. In 1967, she married French diplomat Henri de Laborde de Monpezat, who served as her royal consort until his death in 2018. The couple has two sons, Crown Prince Frederik, who will ascend to the throne as King Frederik X, and Prince Joachim. Crown Prince Frederik married Mary Elizabeth Donaldson, an Australian, in 2004.