Frederik
After a final carriage ride through Copenhagen in front of tens of thousands of people waving Danish flags, Queen Margrethe II arrived at Christiansborg Palace.
During a council of state shortly after 2 p.m., she signed her act of abdication, a first in 900 years in the Scandinavian kingdom, making her 55-year-old eldest son heir to the throne and new monarch.
The images broadcast on television shortly after this solemn moment show her very moved, dressed in a dark pink outfit, signing the document before standing and gesturing to Frederik, on her right, towards his chair at the end of the table set.
Margrethe then left the council, in which the government, the new king, his wife and their eldest son Christian – new crown prince – take part, freed from her role as monarch and head of state.
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During a Council of State, Queen Margrethe II signed her instrument of abdication.
Photo: Associated Press / Mads Claus Rasmussen
His car left the palace to the cheers of spectators, whose heads were covered with a paper or plastic crown.
Frederik
The latter comes from Australia and is the country's first queen who does not have blue blood.
It's so exciting that an ordinary person like us is becoming queen! enthuses Judy Langtree, a retiree from Brisbane, Australia.
Some in ski gear, others draped in Danish flags, around 100,000 people came from across the country to see the royal family, some arriving more than five hours in advance.
In Copenhagen the hotels were stormed and it was almost impossible to reach Copenhagen by public transport this weekend.
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The event brought together more than 100,000 people.
Photo: Associated Press / Mads Claus Rasmussen
Access to Christiansborg Palace Square was closed to the public shortly after 1 p.m. due to the crowds.
The daily protocol largely reflects the Danish tradition of succession to the throne. No foreign dignitary is invited, and the ruler who does not wear a crown literally does not ascend the throne.
52 years of reign
52 years ago, on January 14, 1972, Margrethe II was born at the exact moment of her father Frederik IX's death. Queen and abdicated on the exact anniversary of her accession to the throne.
This day is therefore very symbolic, emphasizes the correspondent for the public television DR, Cecilie Nielsen, who is responsible for kings and who says that Queen Margrethe perfectly controlled her exit.
Although the announcement of his retirement during the traditional televised congratulations on December 31st came as a surprise – his own family had only been informed three days before – it was very quickly accepted. The queen underwent serious back surgery in 2023.
More than 80% support her decision and the ruler retains her title and can continue to represent the royal family at official ceremonies.
Not clinging to the throne until she falls from it, as she has publicly affirmed in the past, will allow her eldest son, whose responsibilities have grown in recent years, to thrive in his role as monarch, experts believe .
She believes the crown prince is more than ready to take power. And she may want to avoid a situation like that in Britain, where Prince Charles became King Charles when he was over 70, notes Mr. Hovbakke Sørensen.
Frederik, crown prince since the age of three, capitalizes on his own popularity and will impose his style on the Danish monarchy, which dates back to the 10th century Viking kings.
Queen Margrethe II is a woman of her time and Frederik also lives in his time. He understood that he could not copy it and managed to create his own image, his own connection with the Danes, assures the historian Bo Lidegaard.
In Denmark, the role of the monarch, the head of state, is primarily representative and ceremonial. However, he signs the laws and officially directs the formation of the government, which he meets periodically.