Queen of Denmark to abdicate after 52-years reign
Queen of Denmark Margrethe II (Getty Images)
Queen of Denmark Margrethe II said during a traditional New Year speech that she would abdicate on January 14 after being on the throne for 52 years, according to Reuters and CNN.
Being Europe's longest-serving monarch, the 83-year-old queen took the throne in 1972. Now the throne will be passed to her eldest son, Crown Prince Frederik.
“On 14 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," she said.
Queen of Denmark Margrethe II delivering her speech on December 31, 2023 (Reuters)
The queen attributed her decision to thinking about the future after a successful back operation undergone in February 2023.
"The surgery naturally gave rise to thinking about the future - whether the time had come to leave the responsibility to the next generation," she noted.
Queen Margrethe II
Queen Margrethe II took the throne on 14 January 1972 after her father, King Frederik IX., died. She held the title of being Europe's longest-serving monarch following the passing of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022. She also became the longest-sitting monarch in Denmark's history. Queen Margrethe garnered widespread support from her people. She has two sons, Crown Prince Frederik and Prince Joachim.
Denmark's political power is granted to the elected parliament and government, while the monarch fulfills ceremonial duties.
We also reported that this year, British King Charles delivered his Christmas speech from a Buckingham Palace room near a replantable Christmas tree with sustainable decorations.
