Danish Queen Margrethe II wants to abdicate after more than half a century. “I have decided that now is the right time. On January 14, 2024, 52 years after I succeeded my beloved father, I will resign from my position as Queen of Denmark,” the 83-year-old announced in a completely surprising manner televised New Year’s speech on Sunday evening. The resignation coincides with her 52nd anniversary on the throne.
The monarch announced that she would leave the throne to her son, Crown Prince Frederik. As the Danish State Chancellery announced, Frederik is to ascend the throne as King Frederik X at the same time as his abdication. However, Margrethe will continue to be referred to as “Her Majesty” in the future.
In her annual New Year’s Eve speech, which is always closely followed by the Danes, Queen Margrethe discussed her back operation this year. Thanks to the health staff, this went well, but it made her think. “The operation has led to reflections about the future, whether it is time to pass on responsibility to the next generation,” the queen said. “You can’t do as much as you’ve done in the past.” Above all, she wanted to say thank you this evening – for the warmth and support that has been shown to her over the years.
The world’s longest-serving monarch began the speech with comments on the Gaza and Ukraine wars, then she discussed the climate crisis and artificial intelligence. After a greeting to the people on the Faroe Islands and Greenland, which are part of the Danish Kingdom, the sensation came completely unexpectedly.
Danish media described the announcement as “absolutely historic.” After the announcement, spontaneous applause broke out among the onlookers who had gathered on the palace square in front of Amalienborg Palace. Margrethe had always emphasized that she wanted to stay on the throne until her death – until she caused the big surprise on December 31st.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen expressed her great thanks to the Queen on behalf of the people. “Many of us have never experienced another monarch,” said the head of government, commenting on the announcement of her resignation. “Queen Margrethe is the epitome of Denmark and over the years has found words and feelings for who we are as a people and as a nation.” She brought honor to the kingdom.
Margrethe was 31 years old when, over half a century ago, on January 14, 1972, she was still in mourning for her father King Frederik IX. ascended the throne of the oldest monarchy in Europe. At that time she was already married to the French Count Henri de Laborde de Monpezat and had two sons with him – the then four-year-old Frederik and the three-year-old Joachim. In 2018, her husband, who suffered from dementia and had lung disease, died at the age of 83 after a good 50 years of marriage.
The regent, who is always radiant and dressed in colorful outfits, is popular with the people; her New Year’s Eve speeches have cult status like “Dinner for One” in Germany. She is socially committed, extremely creative and interested in art, and is considered pragmatic and sometimes a bit unconventional. Since the death of the British Queen Elizabeth II, whose third cousin she was, Margrethe was considered the longest-serving regent on earth.
