Denmark King Frederik X crowned as new monarch after Queen Margrethe II abdicates power
Queen Margrethe II passes the throne to her oldest son King Frederik X
Denmark's King Frederik X has ascended to the throne as his mother Queen Margrethe II gracefully steps down, marking a significant chapter in the nation's monarchy.
Margrethe made a surprise move on New Year's Eve by revealing her intention to be the first Danish monarch in almost 900 years to willingly step down from the throne.
The formalization of the succession occurred when Margrethe signed the declaration of her abdication during a Council of State meeting at the parliament, as confirmed by the royal palace.
Denmark, recognized as one of the world's oldest monarchies, does not traditionally hold coronation ceremonies.
Government officials, including Margrethe, Frederik, aged 55, along with his Australian-born wife Mary now the queen, and their eldest son Christian, aged 18, who is the newly designated heir to the throne, attended the gathering.
Approximately one hour following the signing ceremony, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was scheduled to formally declare the new king from the parliament balcony, with Frederik delivering a brief address.
Read also:Royal Family reveals altered titles amid Queen Margrethe's unexpected decision
Despite near-freezing temperatures, tens of thousands of individuals from various parts of Denmark gathered in the capital to witness these events, underscoring the monarchy's immense popularity in the nation of nearly six million.
"I'm very fond of the royal family. I have been in the Royal Life Guards myself, standing guard at the royal palace. I'm very proud to have done that and also to be here today," he said,
Later in the afternoon, the newly crowned king and queen were scheduled to travel by horse carriage back to their residence, Amalienborg, an 18th-century royal complex situated in central Copenhagen.
Despite their new roles, the couple will continue to live alongside Margrethe, who will retain her title as queen, in Amalienborg, each occupying their respective palaces within the octagonal complex.
Margrethe, who had previously expressed her intent to remain on the throne for life, did not provide a specific reason for her decision to abdicate. However, she mentioned that a significant back surgery she underwent in February of the previous year had led her to contemplate her future.