Queen Margrethe II of Denmark announced her desire to abdicate the throne, paving the way for her son, Crown Prince Frederik, to take over as the new monarch. During her annual New Year’s speech, the 83-year-old queen announced her intention to abdicate on January 14th, the 52nd anniversary of her ascension to the throne after her father, King Frederik IX, died.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen thanked Queen Margrethe for her unwavering commitment and tireless dedication to the Kingdom. Praising the queen as the embodiment of Denmark, Frederiksen emphasized her profound influence in shaping the national identity over the years.
Queen Margrethe II, towering at 6 feet and known for her chain-smoking habit, has held immense popularity among the Danish public despite the largely ceremonial nature of her role. Her approachability was evident as she frequently traversed the streets of Copenhagen without elaborate security measures, earning admiration for her amiable demeanour and multifaceted talents in linguistics and design.
Read More: Japan’s Earthquake Rocked by Powerful 7.6 Magnitude
The queen displayed robustness throughout her tenure, even engaging in rigorous activities such as skiing and participating in Danish women’s Air Force exercises as a princess. Her resilience persisted as she ventured to visit Danish troops in Afghanistan at 70, attired in military gear.
Queen Margrethe II traversed the country extensively as the reigning monarch, regularly visiting Greenland and the Faeroe Islands, territories integrated within the Danish Realm, where she received warm receptions from cheering crowds.
Denmark boasts Europe’s oldest ruling monarchy, tracing its lineage back to Viking king Gorm the Old from 958. Despite being the head of state, the Danish Constitution explicitly excluded the queen from involvement in partisan politics. Nevertheless, her grasp of legislation and legal matters remained evident, reflecting her comprehensive understanding of the laws she ratified.
From her early years, Queen Margrethe received education in French, English, and Swedish, along with pursuing studies in various disciplines such as archaeology, philosophy, political science, and economics across renowned universities in Copenhagen, Aarhus, Cambridge, the London School of Economics, and the Sorbonne in Paris.
Queen Margrethe II to Step Down, Crown Prince Frederik Poised as Future Monarch:
Crown Prince Frederik, born on May 26th, 1968, has held the status of the heir to the Danish throne since birth. The eldest son of Queen Margrethe II and the late Prince Henrik, Frederik, 55, has assumed regency responsibilities since the age of 18 whenever the queen was absent from the Kingdom, carrying out official duties and engaging with dignitaries.
The transition in the royal lineage will see Crown Prince Frederik ascend as king, accompanied by Crown Princess Mary assuming the role of queen. As the nation anticipates these changes, Prime Minister Frederiksen expressed confidence in their preparedness to undertake the responsibilities inherent in their new positions.
[…] Read More: Queen Margrethe II of Denmark Announces Surrender, Clearing Path for Crown Prince Frederi… […]