CNN –
Denmark's King Frederik
For many in Denmark, his mother Margrethe was the only monarch they had ever known. But her shocking abdication after more than five decades on the throne paved the way for her son, former Crown Prince Frederik, to succeed her.
The handover took place at a cabinet meeting at Christiansborg Palace in the capital Copenhagen, where Margrethe signed a declaration of abdication and officially transferred the crown to Frederik.
Despite the freezing weather, large crowds gathered on the streets of Copenhagen, songs occasionally echoing through the crowd as they waited for the historic moment.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen then publicly announced the king's accession to the throne from the palace balcony – a tradition that has existed since the constitution of 1849.
Frederik followed the proclamation with a short speech before being joined by his Australian-born wife Queen Mary and their four children, including Crown Prince Christian, the new heir to the throne.
“Today the throne will be passed on. “My hope is to become a unifying king of tomorrow,” said Frederik. His mother, he said, “will forever be remembered as an exceptional ruler.”
Martin Meissner/AP
Denmark's King Frederik
Martin Meissner/AP
Denmark's King Frederik X and Denmark's Queen Maria wave with their children from the balcony of Christiansborg Palace.
Prime Minister Frederiksen expressed “heartfelt and devoted thanks” to Queen Margrethe on behalf of the nation.
“Being queen and king is a link in a chain that goes back more than a thousand years. When one person steps aside, the next one is ready. And the crown prince who now becomes our monarch is a king we know, a king we like and a king we trust,” she said.
Among the thousands who lined the capital was 45-year-old Kasper Wiigh Larsen. “It moved me to tears of joy to see him doing so well up on the balcony, both in his speech and when Mary came out, held his hands and finished with a kiss,” he told Portal.
Britain's King Charles III, who was crowned last summer, has congratulated the new king and queen.
“I look forward to working with you to ensure that the enduring bond between our countries and our families remains strong, and to working with you on issues that are so important to our countries and the world,” he said in his Letter message.
Margrethe, 83, was Europe's longest-reigning monarch and the world's last reigning queen. In a stunning live speech on New Year's Eve, she announced that her historic term would come to an end after 52 years.
She said she had been thinking about “whether now was the right time to pass on the responsibility to the next generation” after recently undergoing back surgery and had come to the conclusion that “now is the right time.”
The queen appeared emotional herself, saying “God save the king” after submitting her signature to the Council of State, handing over the throne and then leaving the room.
According to the Danish royal family, although Margrethe is no longer the reigning monarch, she will continue to be referred to as Her Majesty and can be installed as acting regent. This means that she can carry out her duties as head of state even when both King Frederik and Crown Prince Christian are unable to do so, for example when they are abroad. Other Danish royals who can also take on the role of acting regent if necessary include Mary, Frederik's brother Prince Joachim and his aunt, Princess Benedikte.
Although the Danish monarchy is one of the oldest in Europe, with over 1,000 years of history, there is no traditional crowning moment. As a result, no leading politicians or high-ranking dignitaries were present, and the Danish change of government was incomprehensible compared to the worldwide spectacle and pomp of the coronation of King Charles III. in May a much more reserved event.
Nevertheless, the streets were full of well-wishers enjoying the spectacle.
Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix/AP
Abdications are rare in the Danish monarchy and the queen is stepping down after more than five decades.
Ida Marie Odgaard/Ritzau Scanpix/Portal
Denmark's Queen Margrethe II is escorted by the mounted squadron of the Guard Hussars Regiment in the golden carriage from Amalienborg Palace to Christiansborg Palace to sign the declaration of abdication.
Denmark is a constitutional monarchy, and the royal family takes on an important but symbolic ambassadorial role in addition to signing new laws. Formal powers lie with the elected parliament and its government, based in Christiansborg Palace in the heart of the capital, Copenhagen.
And it was here that King Frederik
Nicolai Lorenzen/Ritzau Scanpix/Portal
Frederik during the trip to Christiansborg Palace.
Birgitte Borup, culture editor at Danish newspaper Berlingske, told CNN the transition between monarchs will feel “completely different” than 1972, “simply because the queen is alive.”
“It is the first time in 900 years that a Danish king or queen has abdicated. It will be a more festive occasion than the last time when young Margrethe took over,” she explained. “The Queen’s decision to abdicate was shocking, but most Danes seem to understand that she wants to pass the torch for health reasons.”
It is incredibly rare for a monarch to abdicate in Denmark. The last Danish monarch to do this was King Eric III, when he gave up the crown to join a monastery in 1146. However, this practice is more common in other European royal families.
Borup said Denmark was entering “a new modern era” and while Frederik enjoyed widespread support from Danes during his time as crown prince, he will have a lot to do as monarch.
“It could potentially continue to make the monarchy more accessible to people. His biggest challenge will be maintaining a popular and relevant monarchy in the years to come.”
It's not just the northerners who are celebrating that Margrethe is handing over the baton to her son. King Frederik
Their royal romance began with a chance meeting in a Sydney bar during the 2000 Olympics. Sales manager Mary Elizabeth Donaldson, born in Hobart, Tasmania, was initially unaware she was chatting to a real prince.
At the time, Justin Tynan was the manager of Sydney's Slip Inn, the venue near Darling Harbor where the future King and Queen of Denmark crossed paths. “I remember her, I mean… she's a pretty impressive woman. But I suspect the focus was on Frederik because he was the one who paid for the drinks!” he told CNN.
The pub, popular with tourists, continues to celebrate Maria's milestones over the years. The couple's big wedding at Copenhagen Cathedral in 2004 was broadcast live and two years later their first son, Prince Christian, was born, who is now the new crown prince and heir to the throne.
It's once again the center of Sydney's celebrations with Danish flags flying over the bar, Danish-inspired hot dogs and a special cocktail in honor of the new queen.
Meanwhile, the Australian Federal Government has marked the special occasion with its own unique gift on behalf of the nation. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a donation of 10,000 Australian dollars (around $6,000) to protect one of the most famous but endangered marsupials in Mary's home state.
“The story of Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark is a story that Australians have followed closely and that is close to their hearts,” he said in a statement on Saturday. “Crown Princess Mary grew up in Tasmania and it is fitting that Australia is marking the occasion with a donation to support Tasmanian devil conservation.”
MADS CLAUS RASMUSSEN/AFP/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Ima
The Australian Prime Minister wished the Danish royal couple pictured “the very best” before Frederik's accession to the throne.
Back in Denmark, the royal couple have gained supporters and committed to modernizing the monarchy by raising their four children – 18-year-old Christian, 16-year-old Isabella and 13-year-old twins Vincent and Josephine – with the best possible upbringing and sends them to regular state schools.
The Danish royal family is more informal than their British counterparts. They are praised for their down-to-earth nature and, like other members of the public, can often be seen shopping, eating or cycling in public.
The climate crisis, sustainability, public health, the rights of women and girls are just some of Frederik and Mary's mission topics that have helped make them popular with the public.
Borup said Mary may not have been born into royalty, “but you could say she was.”
“She conducts herself with such grace and is a great representative of the Danish nation,” said Berlingske’s culture editor. “She is known for always being prepared and she has taken on some pretty extensive tasks, such as domestic violence awareness.
“When Mary and Frederik met in Australia, it used to be said that she was lucky enough to meet a Prince Charming. I think time has shown he was even luckier.”