Queen Margrethe of Denmark has made a surprising announcement: she will abdicate the throne and pass it on to her son, Crown Prince Frederik.
The 83-year-old monarch, who has reigned for 52 years, said she made the decision after much reflection and consultation with her family. She concluded that it was time to let the younger generation take over and lead the country into the future.
She thanked the Danish people for their support and loyalty throughout her reign and expressed her confidence in her son’s abilities and qualities. She also said she would remain active and involved in public life, but in a different role and capacity.
She cited a back surgery in February 2023 as spurring her on to reflect about her future. “In two weeks’ time I have been Queen of Denmark for 52 years,” she said.
“Such an amount will leave its mark on anybody – also on me! The time takes its toll, and the number of ‘ailments’ increases. One cannot undertake as much as one managed in the past,” she added.
“In February this year I underwent extensive back surgery,” she said. “Everything went well, thanks to the competent health personnel, who took care of me. Inevitably, the operation gave cause to thoughts about the future – whether now would be an appropriate time to pass on the responsibility to the next generation.
“I have decided that now is the right time,” she said.
“On 14th January, 2024 – 52 years after I succeeded my beloved father – I will step down as Queen of Denmark. I will hand over the throne to my son Crown Prince Frederik.
The Danish Queen became the longest-serving monarch in Europe after the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Prince Frederik will take over the throne as His Majesty King Frederik X in January, the Danish Prime Minister’s office said in a statement. Tasmanian-born Mary Donaldson, whom Frederick met in a bar during the 2000 Olympics, will become queen. The daughter of a mathematics professor and an executive assistant, Mary worked in advertising in Melbourne, Edinburgh and Sydney.
Queen Margrethe will continue to be titled as Her Majesty following the handover. Denmark is a constitutional monarchy and as such, the royals have very little political power; their function is mainly as eminent ambassadors of their country, with the monarch signing off on new legislation.
