Denmark’s Queen Margrethe was joined by her future heir at a palace reception following the announcement that she will abdicate the throne this month.
On Wednesday, Queen Margrethe stepped out at Christianborg Palace in Copenhagen to greet the diplomatic corps during a New Year’s reception. She was joined by her son Crown Prince Frederik and daughter-in-law Princess Mary, who will become the new king and queen on January 14.
Queen Margrethe (83) sat for most of the event, with Crown Prince Frederik (55) and Princess Mary (51) standing next to her. She underwent “extensive back surgery” last year after long-term problems, and Crown Prince Frederik has been his mother’s regent for much of her recovery.
“This will be the last time I am your host,” the queen said at the palace reception. “I wish you all a good year, even though there are dark clouds over many parts of the world.”
Queen Margrethe of Denmark on January 3, 2024.
IDA MARIE ODGAARD/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images
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The event was part of a series of Denmark 2024 celebrations, which included a white-tie reception (complete with tiaras!) at Amalienborg Palace on Monday night.
Queen Margrethe, Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary attended the event, along with the Queen’s younger son, Prince Joachim, and his wife, Princess Marie.
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Princess Mary and Prince Frederik of Denmark on January 1, 2024.
Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Images
In a shock announcement made during her annual New Year’s speech on Sunday, Queen Margrethe revealed she will step down as monarch this month.
“In February of this year, I underwent extensive back surgery. Everything went very well, thanks to the professional medical staff who took care of me. The surgery inevitably gave rise to thoughts about the future – will now be the right time to pass on responsibility to the next generation,” she said, according to an English translation of the official transcript of the speech.
“I have decided that now is the right time. On January 14, 2024, 52 years after succeeding my beloved father, I will step down as Queen of Denmark. I am leaving the throne to my son, Crown Prince Frederik,” Queen Margrethe continued.
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Denmark’s Queen Margrethe delivers the 2023 New Year’s speech.
Keld Navntoft / Ritzau Scanpix / AFP via Getty
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Queen Margrethe will become the first Danish monarch to step down in more than 500 years, after previously declaring her intention to rule for life, like her third cousin Queen Elizabeth, who ruled the UK for more than 70 years until her death in September 2022. .
Author and royal commentator Phil Dampier spoke The Telegraph about Queen Margrethe’s surprise decision, which came shortly after Crown Prince Frederik was accused of having an affair with Mexican socialite Geneveva Casanova after they were photographed together during his private trip to Madrid.
“It is possible that the Queen took this action because she would be terrified of the marriage breaking up and the royal family losing Mary. That would cause big problems. Mary was always viewed by the Queen as of immense value,” said Dampier.
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Princess Mary and Prince Frederik of Denmark on January 3, 2024.
IDA MARIE ODGAARD/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images
“It just seems an odd coincidence that she made this unexpected announcement just months after stories of the heir to the throne’s alleged affair broke,” the author added. “In two weeks, the prince and princess will be presented together as king and queen and they will have to get on with it. The Queen may think that they will iron out their differences and that will save their marriage.”
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Source: HIS Education