Denmark's queen passes on the crown

Margrethe II hands reign to son - 15th January 2024

On the 52nd anniversary of her ascension to the throne, the world’s only queen regnant, Margrethe II of Denmark, abdicated to make way for her son Frederik X.

Proclaiming her wish during her annual New Year’s Address, the former monarch revealed her struggles following a back operation expounding "Time is running out, and the ills are increasing. You can no longer overcome the same things as you once could."

The state of her well-being had led the octogenarian to wonder "if the time had not come to leave the responsibility to the next generation."

Holding the crown as Europe’s oldest living monarch after the passing of Britain’s Elizabeth II in 2022, Queen Margrethe’s proclamation sent shockwaves through the Danish public.

She’d been viewed as an everlasting presence in their lives, regularly seen strolling on Copenhagen’s cobbles virtually unescorted. Renowned for her unique sense of style, linguistic prowess and penchant for skiing, she’s also greatly admired for her toughness, especially as a former Danish Air Force lieutenant.

Her history of service moved Denmark’s Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, to show her appreciation by reflecting that "Queen Margrethe is the epitome of Denmark and throughout the years has put words and feelings into who we are as a people and as a nation."

Despite a stint in the 90s as a reluctant and debaucherous prince, Frederik X has since followed in his mother’s footsteps, maturing through both his time training in the three branches of Denmark’s military and efforts such as a 3,500 kilometre ski expedition across Greenland. His rising public standing’s been bolstered by his engagement with global issues through climate change activism and his annual royal fun runs.

The sovereign has signalled his desire to retain a relatively typical family life. He and his wife, Mary Donaldson, an Australian law graduate, are often spotted attending live music events and football matches and have enrolled their four children in state schools.

Frederik has summed up his modern outlook to taking the helm of a 1200 year old institution by saying "I don’t want to lock myself in a fortress. I want to be myself, a human being."