After being the sole head of state and the Monarch of Denmark for 52 years, Queen Margrethe II announced her surprise abdication during a live TV address on January 1. The only reigning queen in the world right now and the longest-serving monarch in Europe is now 83 years old. She announced, “I will leave the throne to my son, Crown Prince Frederik.”
He is set to take her place as King of Denmark and head of state in the country—a constitutional monarchy—as well as in Greenland and the Faroe Islands. The 55-year-old Crown Prince’s Australian wife, Princess Mary, will become the Queen Consort. The abdication will officially take place on January 14, while the King’s accession will also be announced from Amalienborg Castle in Copenhagen during an extraordinary cabinet meeting on the same day. The simple ceremony will mark a departure from traditional coronation rituals seen in Britain in May 2023, reflecting the unique character of Danish royalty.
This announcement left the Danish public in a state of profound astonishment and emotion. The newspapers in Denmark were filled with tribute to the longest reigning Queen, praising her balanced and drama-free approach to her abdication. The Queen cited in her televised New Year speech that her health condition and a recent surgery were the reasons for her Royal departure, a rare occurrence in Danish history.
She said, “I have decided that now is the right time. Time wears on and the ailments multiply. One can no longer cope the same as one did before.” After the Queen underwent back surgery in February 2023, it raised “thoughts about the future” and gave her time to rethink her position.
Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen thanked the Queen for her service, “lifelong dedication and tireless efforts for the Kingdom.” He further said, “Although the duty and position of regent has been handed down for more than 1,000 years, it is still difficult to understand that the time has now come for a change of throne.”
Queen Margrethe, known for her wit and artistic skills, has surprisingly been a popular monarch in Denmark; her position within a democratic constitution was never questioned. Newspaper Jyllands-Posten conducted an opinion poll in 2022 in which 72% of Danes said they supported the monarchy. In a 2023 survey by TV2, 78% said they expected Denmark would still have a monarchy in 50 years.
However, the Queen’s royal tenure has not been devoid of controversy. She made headlines in 2022 for stripping off the royal titles of her younger brother’s children in a move to downsize the royal family. According to a statement by the Royal court a week later, the Queen apologized to her family, saying it was “in keeping with the times” and necessary to “future-proof” the institution. Although she never withdrew her decision.
An alumnus of the University of Copenhagen, the University of Cambridge, the London School of Economics, and the Sorbonne, she completed courses in archaeology and political science. The Queen ascended the throne in 1972, becoming the first woman to rule Denmark in 560 years. However, to everyone’s disappointment, the Queen never became an advocate of women’s rights. During a trip to the U.S. in 1976, she said, “I prefer not to be involved in any movement.”