Denmark's queen passes on the crown

Royal resignation shock - 15th January 2024

The world’s only reigning queen has relinquished her crown. After leading Denmark for half a century, Queen Margrethe II abdicated in favour of her son, Frederik X.

Queen Margrethe formally abdicated on the 52nd anniversary of her ascension to the throne in 1972.

Announcing her decision during her annual New Year’s Address, Margrethe II cited her health as the primary reason for stepping down. Following back surgery a year earlier, she had wondered "if the time had not come to leave the responsibility to the next generation."

As Europe’s oldest living monarch since the death of Britain’s Elizabeth II, Queen Margrethe’s decision shocked many people in Denmark, who saw her as a tower of strength. Known to walk the streets of Copenhagen with little security, Margrethe’s much beloved for her bright fashion sense, skill in languages and passion for skiing. The country also admires her toughness, especially as a former Air Force lieutenant.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen thanked the outgoing monarch saying "Queen Margrethe is the epitome of Denmark and throughout the years has put words and feelings into who we are as a people and as a nation."

Denmark’s new king has learned from his mother’s example. Originally viewed as a rebellious party prince in the early 90s, Frederik X has matured through military service. In 2000, he embarked on a 3500-kilometre ski journey through Greenland, and his popularity’s growing due to his climate change activism and annual fun runs.

The new monarch desires a normal family life. He and his wife, Mary Donaldson, an Australian law graduate, regularly attend concerts and football matches and send their children to public schools.

When speaking about how he’ll lead the thousand-year-old monarchy, Frederik X explained "I don’t want to lock myself in a fortress. I want to be myself, a human being."