This Sunday, Denmark welcomed Frederick X as its new king at a ceremony in the parliament in Copenhagen. Thousands of people gathered around the Amalienborg complex, which houses the royal family's palaces, to watch the proclamation live. The 55-year-old crown prince succeeds his mother, Queen Margaret II, 83, who has been on the throne for more than five decades. The center of Copenhagen was cordoned off as a pedestrian zone by the police, and the streets along the route were full of citizens who wanted to attend the events and Frederick of Denmark's first speech as monarch from the balcony of Christiansborg Palace, which houses the parliamentary seat.
King Frederick His first words were a memory of his mother, Queen Margaret II, “who knew how to unite with her kingdom.” “I hope to be the king who knows how to unite,” emphasized the new monarch and also indicated that he hopes to reciprocate the trust shown to him. Shortly before his speech, Frederiksen recalled that being king and queen in Denmark is “a link in a long chain of more than 1,000 years.” “We welcome the new head of state with joy for his life and his work: he is a king we know and trust,” he assured. He then wished King Frederick X a long life with the usual three cheers.
The Danish monarchy is very popular and, according to polls, 82% of the population believe that Frederick will do a good job. Margaret II's abdication on December 31 surprised the Danes, as she had always stated that she had no intention of leaving the throne. In a televised speech, the Queen admitted that the passage of time “leaves its mark” and said it was time to give in to her heir.
This Sunday, the focus is on Frederick and his wife, Princess Mary, the Queen Consort. The proclamation events began at 1:35 p.m. when the couple began the transfer from Frederick VIII's Palace to Christiansborg Palace – the new heir, Prince Christian, 18, and his three brothers made the transfer. The journey took place in another car. The first mansion is part of the Amalienborg complex, which consists of four identical buildings overlooking the same courtyard and is the residence of the Danish royal family. During his proclamation, the heir wears a dress uniform, his wife is dressed in white. A few minutes later, Queen Margaret II left Christian IX's palace. (also in Amalienborg) towards Parliament. Frederick and Maria arrived by car, Margaret II in a carriage and escorted by a horse troop from the Hussar Regiment of the Royal Guard.
The newly appointed monarch Frederick X is transported in a carriage from the Danish Parliament to Amalienborg Palace with his wife, Queen Mary of Denmark.
Princess Josephine waves as she and her siblings, Prince Vincent, Princess Elizabeth and Crown Prince Christian, arrive at the Danish Crown Residence after the proclamation. Martin Sylvest Andersen (Getty Images)
The horse group of the Royal Guard Regiment escorts the carriage with the new monarchs to Amalienborg Palace. Mads Claus Rasmussen (Ritzau Scanpix/ AP/ Lapresse)
Royal entourage with the new monarchs Frederick X and Mary of Denmark from the palace headquarters to the Danish royal residence. Martin Sylvest Andersen (Getty Images)
Kings Frederick and Mary wave with their children, Princes Elizabeth, Christian, Josephine and Vincent, from the balcony of Christiansborg Palace. Sean Gallup (Getty Images)
King Frederick X and Queen Mary of Denmark wave from the balcony of the Parliament. Martin Meissner (AP)
Participants in the proclamation of the new monarch watch the greeting of the Danish royal family from Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen this Sunday. Martin Meissner (AP)
Frederick X and Mary of Denmark kiss from the balcony of the Palace of Parliament. Martin Meissner (AP)
The new monarch greets the public gathered in front of Parliament. WOLFGANG RATTAY (Portal)
Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen appears on the balcony of Christiansborg Palace as she proclaims the new King Frederick X. WOLFGANG RATTAY (Portal)
Queen Margaret II of Denmark (left) leaves Parliament towards Christian IX's palace, where she is returning after ending more than half a century of rule. NIKOLAI LINARES (AFP)
Margaret II leaves the Council of State meeting after signing the declaration of abdication. In the foreground Frederick, heir to the Danish crown. MADS CLAUS RASMUSSEN (EFE)
This Sunday, soldiers line up in front of the headquarters of the Danish Parliament.Martin Meissner (AP)
The Queen hands over the chair of the table to the heir after signing the declaration of abdication. MADS CLAUS RASMUSSEN (EFE)
Participants in Frederick's coronation
Margaret II signs the declaration of abdication in the State Council in Christiansborg Palace together with the heir Friedrich and Prince Christian. Mads Claus Rasmussen (AP/ Ritzau Scanpix/ Lapresse)
Transfer of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark by carriage through the center of the Danish capital to Amalienborg Palace for her abdication. RITZAU SCANPIX DENMARK (via Portal)
The Crown Prince during the journey from Brockdorff Palace to the seat of the Danish Parliament before his proclamation this Sunday.RITZAU SCANPIX DENMARK (via Portal)
Citizens photograph the future kings Frederick and Mary of Denmark during the procession from Amalienborg Palace to the seat of the Danish Parliament.JONATHAN NACKSTRAND (AFP)
Queen Margaret II of Denmark will be escorted this Sunday by the mounted squadron of the Hussar Guard Regiment to Christiansborg Palace, the seat of the Danish Parliament. RITZAU SCANPIX DENMARK (via Portal)
Entourage of Queen Margaret II of Denmark through the center of Copenhagen. Sean Gallup (Getty Images)
Queen Margaret of Denmark welcomes the citizens gathered in the center of the Danish capital this Sunday. Martin Meissner (AP)
Danish citizens held the coronation this Sunday in front of Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen. Mads Claus Rasmussen (Ritzau Scanpix/ AP)
The guard of honor prepares for the proclamation of Queen Margaret II's heir to the throne at Amalienborg Palace, the residence of the Danish royal family. Martin Sylvest Andersen (Getty Images)
The public gathered in front of Christiansborg Palace, the seat of the Danish Parliament, to follow the proclamation of the future King Frederick X. Sean Gallup (Getty Images)
Portrait of Queen Margaret II in a shop window in Copenhagen, this Sunday.JONATHAN NACKSTRAND (AFP)
Danish flags fly at Christiansborg Palace, the seat of Parliament, in Copenhagen. Martin Meissner (AP)
The public gathered in central Copenhagen this Sunday to attend the coronation of Frederick X.WOLFGANG RATTAY (Portal)
Two Australian children look at the portrait of the future Danish kings Frederick and Mary in central Copenhagen. Sean Gallup (Getty Images)
A woman comes out of a crowned portable toilet in the center of the Danish capital.WOLFGANG RATTAY (Portal)
A woman smiles behind the window of a cafe displaying a photo of Queen Margaret in Copenhagen. Martin Meissner (AP)
Atmosphere in the square of Amalienborg Palace, with citizens waiting to follow the proclamation of Frederick as king, this Sunday in Copenhagen. Martin Sylvest Andersen (Getty Images)
At 2 p.m., according to the official program published by the Danish royal family, the meeting of the Council of State began, at which Margaret II signed her renunciation of the throne while the audience in Parliament Square sang the national anthem. Before leaving the Council of State room, Margaret of Denmark said: “God save the king.” His son became Frederick
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The carriage in which he arrived at Parliament is now reserved for the return of the new kings to Frederick VIII's palace. The proclamation itself was made by the Prime Minister, Social Democrat Mette Frederiksen, on the balcony of Parliament in front of an audience that had already gathered early in the morning. Here the ruler gave the first speech of his reign. Danish monarchies usually have a motto that becomes known later.
The latest poll by the Danish news agency Ritzau shows that the new kings have the support of more than 80% of the population. 82% of those surveyed believe that Frederick X is ready to rule; 86% say his wife Mary will make a good queen consort. The Australian-born couple met in 2000 during the Sydney Olympics. They have four children: the new heir to the throne, Prince Christian, and his three siblings Isabel (16 years old) and the twins Vicente and Josefina (13).
With this change in the Danish crown, the seven European monarchies – Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Denmark – have men at the helm. However, five queens are planned for the next generation, including Leonor, now Princess of Asturias.
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