Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II to abdicate after 52 years on the throne
During the New Year's Eve broadcast, the Queen of Denmark made a live announcement on television that she will abdicate the throne on January 14, paving the way for her son, Crown Prince Frederik.
The Queen of Denmark, Margrethe II, has announced that she will step down from her role after 52 years serving as the head of the country. Her eldest son, Crown Prince Frederik, will take over the position following her abdication on January 14, as the Queen revealed in her customary New Year’s address to the nation.
At 83 years of age, the queen has been ruling since 1972 and holds the title of Europe's most seasoned monarch, after the unfortunate passing of Queen Elizabeth II of Britain in September 2022.
She had a back operation in February that went well.
During her speech on Sunday, she mentioned that the surgery led to pondering about the future and whether it was time for the next generation to take over the responsibilities.
She stated that she has made the choice of stepping down at this moment. Specifically, on the date of 14 January 2024, which would mark 52 years since she became successful in taking the throne after her dear father, the queen of Denmark will relinquish her position.
"I pass on the title of the monarch to my offspring, Crown Prince Frederik," she remarked.
The news release made by Mette Frederiksen, who is the Prime Minister of Denmark, verified the decision.
He expressed his admiration for the ruler and conveyed a sincere expression of gratitude to the Queen for her unwavering commitment and ceaseless work for the country.
The people who hold formal control in Denmark are the chosen members of parliament and their governing body.
The ruler is meant to avoid taking sides in politics and instead symbolize the country through customary tasks such as attending official visits and commemorating national holidays.
Margrethe, who was born in 1940, is widely renowned as a prominent figure in Denmark.
The monarch, who stood at a height of 1.82m (6 feet), was a frequent walker on the streets of Copenhagen without much security. Despite being a chain-smoker, she was appreciated by the Danish people for her friendly behavior and her skills as a linguist and designer.
Margrethe was an enthusiastic skier. She belonged to a Danish air force division for women serving as a princess, where she enrolled in strenuous snow judo courses and endurance exams. In spite of her age, Margrethe persisted in maintaining her stamina and resilience.
At 70 years old, she travelled to southern Afghanistan to meet with Danish military personnel while donning a military outfit.
Being the ruler, she traveled across the nation and frequently went to the Faeroe Islands and Greenland. These two territories have partial autonomy but are still considered as part of the larger Danish Realm.
