Queen Margrethe of Denmark shocked royal watchers around the world when she ended her 52-year reign on the throne with her abdication.
The move means that their son, the former Crown Prince Frederik, and his wife Mary are now king and queen.
Their choice of date makes their decision particularly public as the Danish royals hosted a New Year's Eve dinner and banquet this evening.
While Queen Margrethe appeared in good spirits as she arrived at the event at Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen, it was the new queen who stole the show.
She arrived at the event with her husband, the new king, and looked radiant in a maroon velvet dress and an elaborate tiara.
NEW QUEEN: All eyes were on the new queen as she arrived for the annual New Year's dinner at Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen this evening
HISTORIC GOVERNMENT: Former Queen Margrethe was also in good spirits as she arrived at the event following her shocking abdication after spending 52 years on the throne
The royal couple, Queen Maria of Denmark (pictured left) and King Frederik (pictured right), seem relaxed by the important decision
Queen Margrethe of Denmark announced her shocking abdication in her New Year's Eve address to the nation, marking the end of her era as Europe's longest-serving monarch.
The Danish head of state shocked the nation and many royal watchers around the world when she used her annual New Year's Eve speech to announce live on television that she would step down after 52 years as queen.
In her speech, the 83-year-old said that after back surgery last year, she had taken stock and decided that it was time to “leave responsibility to the next generation” – namely her eldest son, Crown Prince Frederik.
The abdication means Frederik's wife Mary, whom he first met in a Sydney pub, will soon become the world's first Australian-born queen.
She was working as an advertising executive when she first met Frederik in a crowded city bar 23 years ago, and had no idea that the handsome European tourist she had chatted with for hours was actually the future king of Denmark.
Now married for 19 years and the proud parents of four children, Mary has won over her adopted country through her devotion to royal duties and her fluency in the language.
And despite speculation about the state of the royal couple's marriage over the years, there's nothing concrete to suggest they're anything but happily married.
The couple was most recently rocked by rumors after photos emerged showing Frederik, 55, enjoying a night out with Mexican socialite Genoveva Casanova in Madrid in October.
But despite allegations of an “affair,” Frederik and Mary showed their unity as they headed to Aarhus Cathedral on Christmas Eve.
The abdication may not come as a complete shock to everyone: according to a source in 2021, Margrethe's resignation has been on her mind for quite some time.
Speaking to Woman's Day, the insider explained that the queen has slowly but surely guided her daughter-in-law in her duties over the years.
And for several reasons, the timing of the resignation seemed appropriate.
For example, Margrethe underwent successful back surgery in February. “The operation has of course given rise to reflection about the future – whether it is time to pass responsibility to the next generation,” she said in her speech.
Furthermore, the timing of the move has raised questions as it comes just weeks after Frederik hit the headlines when he was pictured on a night out in Madrid with a Mexican celebrity, sparking rumors of an alleged “affair”.
There is increasing speculation that the decision was made to keep Frederik's wife of 19 years, Princess Mary, who is extremely popular with the public, on the side.
Princess Mary, who is set to become the country's first Australian-born queen in a few weeks, has won over the Danish public with her commitment to royal duty and her fluency in the language.
A new king and queen of Denmark
As a nod to her heritage, Mary carried a bouquet of Australian snow gum eucalyptus interspersed with blooms from the palace gardens during her wedding
Frederik and Mary married on May 14, 2004 in Copenhagen Cathedral. The newly crowned Crown Princess chose a beautiful dress by Danish designer Uffer Frank and a veil that Crown Princess Margaret of Sweden first wore in 1905.
In a nod to her heritage, Mary carried a bouquet of Australian snow gum eucalyptus interspersed with blooms from the palace gardens.
The family has returned to Mary's native Australia on many occasions, visiting famous landmarks in Sydney, Canberra and the Northern Territory and even spending Christmas Down Under.
Her husband also enjoys similar popularity, having changed his public image in his youth from a rebellious tearaway and party boy to a family man.
However, their relationship was tested last year when Frederik was spotted on a night out with Mexican reality star Genoveva Casanova in October.
While the royal household refused to comment on photos of the couple, Genoveva issued a public statement denying any sort of romantic relationship and calling the rumors “vicious.”
According to royal reporter Kenth G. Madsen, thanks to Mary's reported closeness to her mother-in-law and her acceptance of advice and guidance, Mary will “play a very prominent role” and “not be an invisible queen.”
However, he also explained that in order not to drift into political territory, she had to be careful about initiatives on women's and children's rights abroad.
She and Frederik may also need to include causes that are close to Margrethe's heart in order to expand her repertoire – “so that it's not just the more modern topics”.