Europe Now Has No Female Monarchs Following Queen Margrethe of Denmark’s Abdication

The historic abdication of Denmark’s Queen Margrethe marks the end of the royal era.

On Sunday, Queen Margrethe officially stepped down as monarch by signing a declaration of abdication, making her son the new King Frederik.

This means that all European monarchs are now male.

After Britain’s Queen Elizabeth died at the age of 96 in 2022, Queen Margrethe was the last remaining female monarch to rule in Europe. She became the first woman allowed to inherit the throne in her country after the Succession Act of 1953 “gave women the right to inherit the Danish throne … but only secondarily,” according to Denmark’s official website. The succession law was amended again in 2009, “when full equality in succession to the throne was introduced,” according to the Danish website. “This means that the regent’s eldest child – regardless of gender – inherits the throne (so-called primogeniture).”

Denmark’s Queen Margrethe and Britain’s Queen Elizabeth in 2000 Anwar Hussein/WireImage King Frederik X and Denmark’s Queen Mary celebrate new reign with surprise kiss amid rumors of affair

Although there are currently only male monarchs, Europe has several women in line for the throne.

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, Princess Elisabeth of Belgium, Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands and Princess Leonor of Spain are the current heirs of their fathers. Meanwhile, Princess Estelle is second in line to her mother in Sweden, and Princess Ingrid Alexandra is set to one day become queen after her father, the current heir.

Meanwhile, the next generations of rulers in the UK will be men. King Charles is followed in the line of succession by his son Prince William and his grandson Prince George.

Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands and Princess Elisabeth of Belgium in October 2023.

MADS CLAUS RASMUSSEN/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images

Queen Margrethe announced her abdication during her annual New Year’s speech on December 31, 2023, shocking the world. She had previously indicated that she intended to rule for life and is now the first Danish sovereign to voluntarily step down from the throne in almost 900 years, according to a statement from the Danish Royal House.

On Sunday, she signed a declaration of abdication on the 52nd anniversary of the throne.

Queen Margrethe of Denmark officially abdicates, making her son King Frederik

King Frederik and Queen Margrethe on abdication day, January 14, 2024.

MADS CLAUS RASMUSSEN/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty

Shortly afterwards, King Frederik stepped onto the palace balcony in his first public appearance as monarch. He waved to the cheering audience from the balcony, looked emotional and wiped away tears.

The Danish Prime Minister then stepped forward and announced the change of government from the balcony of Christiansborg Castle.

King Frederik, 55, gave a short speech and announced his royal motto before being joined by his wife, Queen Mary, and their four children – Crown Prince Christian, Princess Isabella, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine.

Denmark’s King Frederik and Queen Mary first appeared on January 14, 2024.

JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP via Getty

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education