Denmark Queen Margrethe II abdication successor announced - Link Newspaper

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark announced her abdication after 52 years, succeeded by her son Crown Prince Frederik. Denmark's longest-serving monarch.

Denmark's Queen Margrethe II, who holds the title of Europe's longest-serving monarch, made a historic announcement on Sunday. She revealed that she will be stepping down from the throne on January 14th, and her eldest son, Crown Prince Frederik, will succeed her.

This news came as a surprise to many, as the Queen made the announcement during her traditional New Year's Eve speech, which is widely viewed by the public. In her speech, she reflected on her 52-year reign, acknowledging that the time has taken its toll on her and that she is no longer able to undertake as much as she once could.

The Queen also mentioned a successful back operation she underwent in February, which led her to contemplate the future and whether it was time to pass the responsibility to the next generation. Ultimately, she decided that the time was right, and she will abdicate the throne on the 14th of January, 2024.

Expressing her gratitude to the people of Denmark, the Queen thanked them for their overwhelming warmth and support. She also expressed appreciation for the changing governments and The Parliament, who have always vested their confidence in her, as well as the many individuals who have embraced her and her family with kind words and thoughts.

Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also expressed her gratitude to the Queen for her life-long dedication to duty. She acknowledged that the transition to a new monarch is difficult for many Danes, as Queen Margrethe has been a constant figure throughout their lives, embodying the essence of Denmark and its people.

Formal power in Denmark resides with the elected parliament and its government, with the monarch expected to stay above partisan politics and represent the nation through traditional duties such as state visits and national day celebrations.

Born in 1940 to King Frederik IX and Queen Ingrid, Margrethe ascended to the throne in 1972. She is known for her passion for archaeology and has participated in various excavations. In 1967, she married French diplomat Henri de Laborde de Monpezat, who served as her royal consort until his death in 2018. The couple has two sons, Crown Prince Frederik and Prince Joachim, with the former set to become King Frederik X. Frederik married Mary Elizabeth Donaldson, an Australian, in 2004.

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