Queen Margrethe II of Denmark officially abdicated. The coronation of her son, Prince Frederik X, took place in Copenhagen.
A new king succeeded the throne in Denmark
Thousands of people gathered in central Copenhagen on January 14 to see Queen Margrethe II sign a declaration of abdication, ending her 52-year reign.
After signing the document, she left the room with tears in her eyes, saying: "God bless the king."
After that, the new 55-year-old King Frederik X came out on the balcony of the Christiansborg Palace, where the thunderous cheers of thousands of people greeted him.
He was joined on the balcony by Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who thanked the outgoing queen and praised the new king.
The crowd was then greeted by the King, who was joined by the new Queen Mary and four children. Australian-born Queen Mary is the first commoner to become Queen of Denmark.
Queen Margrethe's cousin, King Carl Gustav of Sweden, wrote on the Swedish royal family's Instagram page: “Your Majesty, dear cousin Daisy. When you step down today from your high office as Queen of Denmark, I want to say a warm thank you for the good cooperation over the years."
What is known about Queen Margrethe
In an address to the nation on December 31, Queen Margrethe II said she would step down on January 14, the 52nd anniversary of her accession to the throne. She will continue to bear the title of Her Majesty.
Margrethe became Queen on 14 January 1972 after her father, King Frederick IX, died.
In a speech from Christian IX's palace in Amalienborg, the Queen said: “I have decided that now is the time. On January 14, 2024, 52 years after I succeeded my beloved father, I will step down as Queen of Denmark. I leave the throne to my son, Crown Prince Frederik."
Margrethe II was one of Denmark's most popular public figures. She often walked the streets of Copenhagen almost unaccompanied and admired the Danes with her warm manners and talent as a linguist and designer.
