In a momentous event, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, aged 83, has voluntarily stepped down from the throne, becoming the first Danish monarch to do so in almost nine centuries. The abdication ceremony, held at Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen, saw Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen officially proclaim Frederik X as the new king, a beloved successor to the nation.
The abdication ceremony was marked by jubilant crowds gathering outside the palace, celebrating the transition from a revered monarch to her popular son. Wearing a magenta outfit, Queen Margrethe signed the abdication document during a meeting with the Danish Cabinet. Prime Minister Frederiksen then announced Frederik as king from the palace balcony, igniting the joyous mood among thousands of spectators.
The abdication leaves Denmark with two queens, as Margrethe retains her title, and Frederik's Australian-born wife becomes Queen Mary. Their eldest son, 18-year-old Christian, assumes the role of crown prince and heir to the throne. The unexpected announcement, driven by Queen Margrethe's health concerns, surprised the nation, prompting widespread support and gatherings across Denmark to witness this historic royal transition.
In a show of solidarity, streets adorned with Danish flags, shops displaying photos of the queen and the new king, and city buses with miniature flags painted a festive picture. The royal guards' music band added to the celebration, parading through Copenhagen in red jackets to mark this significant moment in Danish history.