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Published January 2, 2024, 3:29 pm ET
Could Queen Margrethe II of Denmark's decision to abdicate the throne in favor of her son Crown Prince Frederik be a ploy to save his marriage?
The 83-year-old ruler – third cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II – announced in her New Year's address on December 31 that she would step down on January 14.
Some have wondered whether the announcement was a way to maintain the prince's relationship with his wife, Crown Princess Mary, despite affair rumors.
There was speculation that Frederik, 55, had been unfaithful to Australian-born marketing consultant, 51, and socialite Genoveva Casanova after photos together emerged during a trip to Madrid in November.
However, the 47-year-old native of Mexico denied that an affair had taken place.
Queen Margrethe ascended to the Danish throne in 1972. Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images
Royal expert Phil Dampier was critical of the Queen's decision, telling the Telegraph it was “an extraordinary coincidence that she made this unexpected announcement just a few months after rumors emerged of an alleged affair by the Crown Prince.”
“In two weeks the prince and princess will be set up together as king and queen and they have to get on with it,” Dampier explained.
He added: “The Queen may think that they will sort out their differences and that will save their marriage.”
Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary arrive at the New Year's Banquet at Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen, Denmark on January 1, via Portal
On Monday evening, Frederik and Mary put on a united front as they attended the New Year's Gala at Amalienborg Castle in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Margrethe will make way for Frederik to become monarch in just 12 days – the same day she ascended the throne in 1972 following the death of her father, King Frederik IX.
“In two weeks I will be Queen of Denmark for 52 years,” she said in her speech. “Such an amount will leave its mark on everyone – including me! Time takes its toll and the number of “complaints” increases. You can’t do as much as you used to.”
Crown Prince Frederik will become king on January 14, 2024. Getty Images
She explained that the back surgery she underwent last year “caused me to think about the future – whether now would be the right time to pass on the responsibility to the next generation.”
“I decided that now is the right time. On January 14, 2024 – 52 years after I succeeded my beloved father – I will step down as Queen of Denmark. I will hand over the throne to my son, Crown Prince Frederik.”
Queen Margrethe will be the first monarch in Denmark to step down in over 500 years.
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