Prince Frederik (55) and his wife Princess Mary (51) will be King and Queen of Denmark in a few days. Queen Margrethe II of Denmark (83) announced in her traditional New Year’s speech that she would abdicate. Now the palace has revealed the full program for the change of throne. “On January 14, 2024, Her Majesty the Queen will step down as Queen of Denmark and entrust the throne to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince,” the royal family wrote in a statement. The schedule for the change of throne was published.
The historic event is compared to the great spectacle surrounding the coronation of the British King Charles III. (75) in May 2023 will be rather modest. Foreign heads of state or government or dignitaries are apparently not expected in Denmark. However, the current Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen (46) will play a crucial role in the ceremony, as will Mary and Frederik’s eldest son Prince Christian (18), the new Crown Prince.
According to the program, shortly after noon on January 14th (1:35 p.m.), Mary, Frederik and Christian will drive the short distance from Amalienborg Palace to Christiansborg Palace. Queen Margrethe will arrive at Christiansborg Palace in a carriage, accompanied by a regiment.
After their arrival at Christiansborg Palace, Margrethe, Frederik, Mary and Christian will celebrate the change of throne together with the Danish government. It occurs at the time when Margrethe signs her declaration of abdication during a meeting of the State Council. After the signing, she will leave Christiansborg and return to her residence.
The new King Frederik and Queen Mary are scheduled to enter the balcony of Christiansborg Palace at 3 p.m. together with the Danish Prime Minister. Mette Frederiksen will then publicly announce her accession to the throne and Frederik will speak to the assembled people. Gun salutes will follow.
Mary and Frederik will then travel in a carriage from Christiansborg Palace to Amalienborg. A big fireworks display is planned for the evening in Copenhagen.
On Monday (January 15th) there will be a reception in Parliament for the new royal couple and their family. Finally, on January 21st there will be a solemn service in Aarhus.
