Denmark’s prime minister has proclaimed Frederik X as king on the balcony of Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen, after Queen Margrethe II formally signed her abdication, ending her 52-year reign as Denmark’s longest-serving monarch.
Thousands of people gathered on the streets of the Danish capital on Sunday to greet Frederik and bid farewell to Margrethe, who has become the first Danish monarch in nearly 900 years to abdicate voluntarily.
At 3pm exactly, the doors to the Christiansborg balcony opened and the new king came out, where he was met with huge cheers from the thousands standing outside and an explosion of silver confetti. The crowd, some dressed in crowns, others drinking champagne, waved red and white flags.
He was joined by the prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, who thanked the outgoing queen and praised the new king before leading a chorus of cheers, raising her arm as she did so. Then it was the turn of the new king, who paid tribute to his mother, his wife and his family before being joined by the new Queen Mary, dressed in white, followed by their four children. Australian-born Mary is the first commoner to become queen in Denmark.
Frederik had automatically become the new king earlier in the day when his mother signed an abdication declaration in the Council of State. She left the room with tears in her eyes, saying: “God bless the king.” » | Miranda Bryant in Copenhagen | Sunday, January 14, 2024
Frederik crowned King of Denmark after Queen Margrethe’s abdication: The Queen signed the declaration ending her 52-year reign on Sunday passing the title of monarch to her son »
Frederik X est officiellement roi du Danemark après l’abdication de sa mère : Frederik X est devenu dimanche roi du Danemark, succédant à sa mère la reine Margrethe qui a abdiqué après exactement 52 ans de règne, un événément célébré à Copenhague par une centaine de milliers de Danois. »
Frederik ist neuer König von Dänemark: Die dänische Königin Margrethe II. hat ihre Abdankungsurkunde unterzeichnet. Damit wird aus dem ehemaligen Kronprinzen Frederik der neue Monarch. »
Cheered by Thousands, Denmark’s New King Takes His Throne: The prime minister publicly presented the new monarch, King Frederik X, after his mother formally completed her abdication as queen in a private meeting. »
