A visibly moved King Frederik enters the balcony of Christiansborg Palace at 3 p.m. in uniform and with moist eyes. A sea of cheering people, waving red and white flags, greets him. He wipes a tear from his eyes. This moment crowns his decades of preparation for this position.
Louise and Andreas experience this historic moment for Denmark live from the front. Since the early hours of the morning they have been standing in the January cold directly in front of the balcony from which Frederik will give his first speech to the people as the new regent a few hours later. Both of them only met in the morning, they say. Andreas, who tied a Danish flag around himself, even skipped his father’s birthday for this big day.
The news of the abdication came as a shock, says Louise, as it did for almost all Danes. Andreas didn’t see it coming either. But he has great respect for the step and for the queen.
It was the big bang on New Year’s Eve: Queen Margrethe II announced her abdication to the surprise of her people. On January 14th she hands over the throne to her son Frederik. It’s the first time this has happened in about 900 years.
Copenhagen is dressed up for the big day. Danish flags fly on the houses, over the shopping streets and on the famous Nyhavn. Buildings shine in red and white. The new king is celebrated on the walls of houses, in shop windows and on display boards. Mannequins even wear crowns – made of cardboard and plastic, of course.
Early on Sunday morning, the streets of Copenhagen are still empty, a golden sun is rising, the sky is clear. Subzero temperatures make your ears red and your fingers cold. Nevertheless, the first royalists are already gathering in front of Christiansborg to get the best place. They sit on camping chairs, wrapped in blankets and with thermoses in their hands.
The secret stars are a small group of four in red cloaks, with scepters and crowns. Reporters want to film them, people take photos with their cell phones. Charlotte, Karina, Maria and René have been standing in front of Christiansborg, where, among other things, the parliament is located, since around 8:30 a.m. The four of them want to hold out until 3 p.m. What do they say to Frederik? The four say he will be a good king. And Karina adds: “He will make the royal family more modern.”
“Frederik as king will be great,” say Pernille, Helle and Isa. The three of them have also been standing together with the other die-hard royal loyalists since the early hours of the morning. After the Queen’s New Year’s speech, it was clear to them that they had to be at the forefront. He will be different, close to the people – and he will stay that way, they say about Frederik: “He moves with the times.” The three women are particularly enthusiastic about Mary. “She’s not a snob,” says Helle, but rather close to the people and committed. This is what the Danes value about their new queen.
There is even an Australian family there. Susan, Leon and their two children Lucas and Dane have been living in Denmark for two years. Susan has even shaken Frederik’s hand, she says proudly. They are also happy about the new king. “He’s wonderful,” says Susan. And of course they are particularly proud of Mary, after all, she comes from Australia and will be the first Australian to become queen. “That’s something special.”
Little by little, more and more people stream into the square. They carry flags in their luggage, wear golden cardboard crowns and plastic tiaras. Some have loudspeakers with them and drink canned beer, others prefer to get something hot from sales carts.
The final preparations were made here on Saturday afternoon: loudspeaker towers are being subjected to a sound check so that the new king’s first words can be heard clearly. A few hundred meters away there are portable toilets available for the crowds. Fences are being erected, crane trucks are working in the streets, cameras are ready for the television broadcast of the historic event. Soldiers rehearse their steps and movements and are carefully inspected to make sure everything is in place.
The big moment in Copenhagen is now approaching. Hundreds of onlookers also gathered in front of Amalienborg Palace, where the royal family lives.
Jannie, Joan and Dorthe with their children Mira, Clara and Olivia are also waiting with crowns on their heads and balloons. It’s a special day for the children, explains Dorthe. “You will see three monarchs: Margrethe, Frederik and eventually Christian.” Everyone is big royalists and is looking forward to the new royal couple. Margrethe’s abdication was a big shock for her too. But she did a great job for 52 years. “She should enjoy her retirement.” Olivia (10) and Clara (9) also think so. “Margrethe also has a right to a good time,” says the nine-year-old.
Meanwhile, gray clouds have moved in front of the bright sky. A few hundred meters further, the streets around Kongens Nytorv are full of people. Here Frederik, Mary and Margrethe will later drive to Christiansborg in a vintage car and a carriage, past cheering Danes.
Shortly after 1:30 p.m. the time has finally come: Mary and Frederik roll past people in an old limousine. The couple waves, smiles and laughs. A few minutes later the Queen’s carriage follows, with a squadron of riders in front of her. She also smiles and waves to the people. It is the last time she will do this as queen.
The historic moment will then take place at Christiansborg – without pomp and splendor, without an imperial orb and scepter, as is known from the British royals. The so-called State Council meets at 2 p.m., consisting of the Prime Minister, ministers, the Regent and the Crown Prince. Here Margrethe signs her declaration of abdication. To her right sits Frederik, next to him the future crown prince, his son Christian. With the stroke of a pen, Frederik becomes king.
Margrethe II has emotions written all over her face. With a wave of her hand, she hands over the chair in which she sat in the State Council for 52 years to her son. “God save the king,” says the now former head of state and disappears through the door.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen then has to proclaim the new king in front of the people three times, according to the country’s constitutional monarchy. “Her Majesty, Queen Margrethe II has abdicated. Long live His Majesty King Frederik The people join in, shouts of hurray ring through Copenhagen.
Frederik X. tritt nun vor das Mikrofon.
Hundreds of thousands must have gathered in front of Christiansborg and the surrounding streets to hear the speech. In some places it is no longer possible to get through, and hundreds of meters away, young families, couples, teenagers and older women are standing tightly together, holding up smartphones.
“My mother, Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II ruled Denmark for 52 years,” the new king begins his short speech. “For all time she will be remembered as an exceptional ruler.” The people cheer.
“Today the throne is passed. My hope is to become a unifying king of tomorrow.”
“It is a task to which I have dedicated my entire life. It is a responsibility that I take on with respect, pride and great joy. I will strive to put into practice the trust placed in me. I will need all the support I can get from my beloved wife, from my family, from you and from what is bigger than us.”
The people cheer and shout and wave the Dannebrog. Some Australian flags can also be seen. These scenes make it clear how popular the Danish royal family is among its people and what importance it has for them.
“I look to the future and know that I am not alone.”
Frederik the X concludes with his motto: “United, committed, for the Kingdom of Denmark”.
When the new king has long since stepped off the balcony, tens of thousands are still standing in front of it and in front of Amalienborg, where Frederik and his family will later show themselves to the masses. But most Danes go home, some with a glass of champagne in their hand. Paper flags lie in the dirt on the cold, wet cobblestones.
At 6 p.m., this historic day for Denmark ends with a big bang: a gigantic fireworks display is set off over the Tivoli amusement park in the heart of the city, the largest in the park’s history.
Denmark has a new king. A new era is beginning for the country. Those of Frederik X.
