On Sunday (January 14th) the reign of Margrethe II of Denmark (83) comes to an end after 52 years. The monarch hands over the throne to her son, Crown Prince Frederik (55). Shortly before the end of her reign, the 83-year-old caused a surprise.
The Danish broadcasters DR and TV2 broadcast a tribute concert in honor of the Queen on Friday evening (January 12th). At the end of the concert, to the surprise of the audience, she personally responded with a video message. “I would say I’m almost speechless,” Margrethe said in the video. Margrethe watched the concert from her sofa at home. “I would like to thank everyone who conceived this evening and everyone who made it happen from the bottom of my heart.” Afterwards you can hear how the audience on Kongens Nytorv in downtown Copenhagen bursts into cheers.
According to the Danish website “Se og Hør”, numerous people traveled to the square to watch the concert despite the bitter January cold. “I don’t know how to express my gratitude for the wonderful celebration you gave me,” Europe’s longest-serving monarch continued. “A big thank you to everyone who made it. Thank you to everyone who came on such a cold January evening.”
Danish artists such as Sanne Salomonsen, Søs Fenger, Mads Langer and Pil were on stage at the concert. Two musicians also performed the love song “Strangers in the Night”, which, according to the TV station DR, is particularly close to the queen’s heart. Accordingly, Margrethe once explained that she and her late husband Prince Henrik (1934-2018) danced to the song in a London nightclub.
Queen Margrethe II surprisingly announced her abdication in her New Year’s speech. Her eldest son, Crown Prince Frederik, will take the throne on January 14th. There is no official coronation ceremony in Denmark, such as that of King Charles (75) in May 2023. Frederik is named the new king in a proclamation.
