‘She’s the Best’: Copenhagen Prepares for Queen Margrethe’s Abdication Day

THE GUARDIAN: Hotels and restaurants fully booked as thousands expected in Danish capital to farewell monarch of 52 years

Queen Margrethe travelling to Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen for the New Year's reception on 4 January. Photograph: Ritzau Scanpix/Reuters
On the streets of Copenhagen, the sound of drums boomed from the square and a blur of red and white flags came into view. People on cherrypickers tidied up buildings and staff at a department store replaced sales flags with the national one.

The arrival of a single police car, parked in the middle of the road, stopped traffic. Minutes later, the square filled with the sound of horses’ hooves on cobbles as riders arrived carrying brass instruments and silver swords followed by an empty carriage pulled by six horses. It was the rehearsal on Friday for the once-in-a-generation event set to unfold in little more than 48 hours: the formal abdication of Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II.

Though preparations were under way in the capital, the coronation of the queen’s son, Crown Prince Frederik, will be understated – particularly in comparison to that of King Charles. In Denmark, there will be no jewel-encrusted crowns, golden coaches or fur robes. As has been the case since the introduction of the constitution in 1849, there will not even be a ceremony.

Instead, after a procession by Frederik and his wife, Mary, followed by the queen, to Christiansborg Palace, the proclamation will be delivered by the prime minister. At 3pm, Mette Frederiksen will appear on the balcony of the palace, the home of the Danish parliament, to announce the new monarch. » | Miranda Bryant in Copenhagen | Saturday, January 13, 2024

Queen Margrethe Takes Final Carriage Ride as Danish Monarch after Unexpected Abdication

Jan 4, 2024 | As Denmark’s reigning monarch, Queen Margrethe II took her final ride through Copenhagen in a gold-coated horse-drawn carriage on Thursday, 10 days before she is set to pass the throne on to her eldest son, Crown Prince Frederik.

Crowned in 1972, serving for more than five decades, the beloved Queen Margrethe announced her intent to abdicate in her annual New Year’s Eve speech on a live television broadcast — shocking much of the nation.

“She has been a stable figure,” Danish church employee Bente Lindbak Pihl said on Thursday after attending the Queen’s final carriage ride in the country’s capital. “She has been a kind of big mother for all of us. She has been clever and inspiring.”

Queen Margrethe was not initially intended to become Denmark’s monarch, however, she became heir to her father, King Frederik IX, in 1953 at the age of 13, after a constitutional amendment allowed women to inherit the throne.


La reine Margrethe du Danemark a-t-elle abdiqué pour sauver le mariage de son fils, le prince Frederik? : Des spécialistes de la royauté ont suggéré dans les colonnes du Daily Mail, le lundi 1er janvier, que l'ancienne souveraine s’était mise en retrait pour redonner une chance à l'union entre le futur roi Frederik et la future reine consort Mary. Ce dernier est en effet visé par des rumeurs d'adultère. »

Danemark : la reine Margrethe II annonce abdiquer après 52 ans de règne

LE MONDE : Elle quittera ses fonctions le 14 janvier et laissera le trône à son fils, le prince Frederik.

La reine Margrethe II prononce le discours du Nouvel An depuis le palais de Christian IX, à Copenhague (Danemark), le 31 décembre 2023. RITZAU SCANPIX / VIA REUTERS
C’est lors de son traditionnel discours du Nouvel An que la reine du Danemark Margrethe II a annoncé, dimanche 31 décembre, qu’elle abdiquera. « Le 14 janvier 2024, cinquante-deux ans après avoir succédé à mon père bien-aimé, je quitterai mes fonctions de reine du Danemark. Je laisserai le trône à mon fils, le prince héritier Frederik », a-t-elle déclaré lors de ses vœux télévisés. » | Le Monde avec AFP | dimanche 31 décembre 2023

Königin Margrethe II. kündigt Abdankung an: Margrethe II. will am 14. Januar 2024 als Königin von Dänemark zurücktreten. Das sagte die 83-Jährige in ihrer Neujahrsansprache. Sie werde den Thron ihrem Sohn überlassen – Kronprinz Frederik. »

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark announces surprise abdication: Monarch will step down on 14 January, the 52nd anniversary of her accession, and leave the throne to her son Frederik »

Queen of Denmark announces abdication after 50 years on throne: Margrethe II will be succeeded by her eldest son Crown Prince Frederik »

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark to Step Down: Margrethe, the longest-serving monarch in Europe, announced during her New Year’s speech that she would abdicate her throne in January. Her eldest son, Crown Prince Frederik, will succeed her. »

Margrethe setzt neue Maßstäbe in der Nachfolgefrage: In einem historischen Schritt kündigt die dänische Königin Margrethe ihren Rückzug an. Sie übergibt an die nächste Generation und bleibt weiter „Ihre Majestät“. Zum Schluss ihrer Regentschaft zeigte Dänemarks Königin Margrethe II. ihrem Volk noch einmal, was es an ihr hat. Das Königshaus und sich selbst stellte sie in ihrer Neujahrsansprache hinten an. Auf den Krieg im Gazastreifen ging sie ein und auf jenen in der Ukraine, warb für Respekt und einen friedlichen Umgang miteinander, auch den Klimawandel behandelte sie und die Künstliche Intelligenz, schickte Grüße nach Grönland und auf die Färöer Inseln. Erst danach ließ die 83 Jahre alte Königin jene „Neujahrsbombe“ platzen, von der nun im Land die Rede ist. »

Denmark's Queen Abdicates after 52 Years on the Throne

Dec 31, 2023 | Denmark's queen has unexpectedly announced her abdication in her traditional New Year's Eve speech.

Margrethe II will formally step down from the throne on 14 January. That will be exactly 52 years to the day of her ascension to the throne in 1972.

The 83-year-old monarch will be succeeded by her eldest son, Crown Prince Frederik - who will become Frederik X.

Japan Poised to Reveal Name of New Imperial Era as Akihito Abdicates

THE GUARDIAN: Naming ceremony to take place before emperor steps down from Chrysanthemum throne

On Monday morning, a senior government official in Tokyo will enter a room, gather his thoughts and hold up a work of handwritten calligraphy.

Millions of people will pause and digest the meaning of the two kanjicharacters, and Japan will finally get the answer to a question that has kept it in suspense for months: the name of the new imperial era.

The characters will open a new chapter in Japanese history, a month before the emperor, Akihito, makes way for his eldest son, Crown Prince Naruhito, whose enthronement will take place on 1 May in the country’s first imperial abdication for 200 years. » | Justin McCurry in Tokyo | Friday, March 29, 2019

Japan Considering Special Law to Allow Emperor to Abdicate

A Japanese government panel is considering a special law to allow 83-year-old Emperor Akihito to abdicate.

Inside Story: What Future for the Monarchy in Spain?

Thousands want the monarchy abolished and the return of a republic after King's abdication.

Spanish Royal Family's Popularity Boosted by King Juan Carlos's Abdication in Favour of Prince Felipe

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Approval ratings for King Juan Carlos's reign increase from 41 to 65 per cent following his abdication to hand the throne to 46-year-old heir Prince Felipe


Spains royal family has become more popular among Spainiards following the abdication of Juan Carlos for his son Crown King Felipe VI.

Overall, 55.7 per cent of those polled in the June 3-5 survey by Sigma Dos supported the institution of the monarchy in Spain, up from 49.9 per cent when the same question was posed six months ago.

57.5 per cent believed the prince could restore the royal family’s lost prestige.

An overwhelming majority of Spaniards believe the new king, Felipe VI, would make a good monarch and more than three-quarters believe King Juan Carlos was right to hand over the throne to his son.

The poll, published in Spain’s right-leaning daily El Mundo newspaper on Monday, is likely to encourage the departing King, who announced a week ago that he hoped the change would usher in a “new era of hope”. » | Fiona Govan | Monday, June 09, 2014

King Juan Carlos: 'I Don't Want My Son to Grow Old Waiting Like Prince Charles'

THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Spanish monarch reportedly expressed a desire to hand the throne to heir while Prince Felipe was still a young man to stop him "withering" like Prince Charles

King Juan Carlos told courtiers that he wanted to abdicate in favour of his son because he did not want his heir to “grow old waiting for the throne like Prince Charles”.

The 76-year-old monarch, who announced last Monday that it was time for “a younger generation to step into the front line,” is said to have been influenced in his decision to abdicate by the situation of the Prince of Wales, who at 65 is the oldest heir to the British throne for 300 years.

It emerged on Sunday that King Juan Carlos had privately told those close to him that he felt it was right to pass the throne on while his heir was still a young man.

“I do not want my son to wither waiting like Prince Charles,” he reportedly told Rafael Spottorno, chief of the royal household, according to a report in Spain’s daily El Mundo newspaper. » | Fiona Govan, Madrid and Matthew Holehouse | Sunday, June 08, 2014

Queen Goes Riding on Anniversary of Coronation as Spain's King Juan Carlos Abdicates

Queen Elizabeth II horseriding at Windsor Castle, Berkshire

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Constitutional historians say Spanish king's abdication will have no effect on the Queen

As the Queen marked the 61st anniversary of her coronation by going for a gentle pony ride in Windsor today, King Juan Carlos of Spain announced his abdication after 40 years on the throne.

His decision is unlikely to have been welcomed by the Queen, and nor will it have weakened her resolve to carry on as monarch for the rest of her life, according to constitutional historians.

The British monarchy, unlike Spain’s, is a sacerdotal system, meaning Kings and Queens are consecrated during a religious ceremony in which they swear before God to carry out their various duties. Edward VIII abdicated before he had been crowned, meaning he never took the Coronation Oath, thus avoiding a constitutional crisis.

The Spanish crown, in contrast, is a far more ceremonial position; monarchs are crowned, but not consecrated, meaning they are not bound by a religious oath to carry on for life.

The historian Hugo Vickers said that unlike King Juan Carlos, who is in poor health and has faced a slump in his popularity, the Queen, who is 88, is "firing on all cylinders". » | Gordon Rayner, Chief Reporter | Monday, June 02, 2014

Letizia d'Espagne : cette reine que les monarchistes détestent

Avec 'abdication de Juan Carlos, Letizia se retrouve reine aux côtés de son mari Felipe.

LE POINT: Issue d'une famille républicaine, rejetée par les monarchistes, elle incarne désormais avec Felipe l'une des plus anciennes dynasties d'Europe.

Le prochain roi d'Espagne n'est pas forcément celui que l'on croit... Derrière Felipe, les Espagnols savent bien qu'ils devront compter avec Letizia Ortiz, une femme ambitieuse, au caractère bien trempé, qui joue un rôle de conseillère occulte auprès de son mari, comme en son temps sa belle-mère Sofía d'Espagne. La grande différence, c'est que Sofia est née princesse de Grèce tandis que Letizia est roturière, fille d'un journaliste et d'une infirmière syndicaliste, petite-fille d'un chauffeur de taxi. Un pedigree incompatible avec le sang des Bourbons pour les aristocrates espagnols, qui ne lui ont jamais fait de cadeaux. Dès son mariage avec Felipe, au printemps 2004, ses détracteurs ouvraient un site anti-Letizia Ortiz pour souligner l'entrée par effraction de cette journaliste divorcée - elle a été mariée civilement à un professeur - au sein de la famille régnante. Les attaques n'ont jamais vraiment cessé avec son cortège de rumeurs et de boules puantes. » | Par Marc Fourny | lundi 02 juin 2014

Spain's King Juan Carlos to Abdicate

Spain's King Juan Carlos delivers a speech to explain
the reasons for his abdication

THE GUARDIAN: Monarch says he is proud of country's transition to democracy but son Felipe has the maturity to 'open a new era of hope'

After 39 years on the throne, King Juan Carlos of Spain will abdicate in favour of his son Crown Prince Felipe, the king said in a televised address on Monday.

Hours after the prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, broke the news, the king explained his decision on Spanish television and radio. He highlighted his pride in the "transformation of Spain" and the "tremendous amount achieved by all" since the country's transition into democracy.

"Today, when I look back, I cannot help but feel pride and gratitude towards all of you," he said.

The decision to step down, he said, was made after his 76th birthday in January. His son Felipe, he assured Spaniards, "has the maturity, preparation, and sense of responsibility necessary to assume the title of head of state and open a new era of hope which combines the experience and momentum of a new generation." Read on and comment » | Ashifa Kassam | Monday, June 02, 2014

Philippe Becomes New Belgian King as Albert II Abdicates

BBC: Crown Prince Philippe has been sworn in as the new Belgian king after the emotional abdication of his father Albert II.

The Oxford- and Stanford-educated, trained air force pilot took the oath as the country's seventh king in a ceremony in parliament.

To warm applause, King Philippe, 53, promised to uphold the constitution.

Belgium has a constitutional monarchy in which the king plays a largely ceremonial role.

One of the duties the monarch does have is trying to resolve constitutional crises.

In his final address before signing a legislative act to step down, 79-year-old King Albert said his country must remain a "source of inspiration" to Europe.

He stressed his wish that Belgium - split between the Dutch-speaking north and the French south - remained united.

His resignation on the grounds of ill-health came after nearly 20 years on the throne and was timed to coincide with Belgium's national day. (+ video) » | Sunday, July 21, 2013


THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Divided Belgium has a new King Philippe: Belgium has a new King Philippe of the Belgians after his father Albert II abdicated after making an emotional exhortation for his countrymen to "work tirelessly" to hold their divided country together. » | Bruno Waterfield, Brussels | Sunday, July 21, 2013

ARD: TAGESSCHAU: Thronwechsel in Belgien: Philippe ist König » | Sonntag. 21. Juli 2013

LES ECHOS.fr: La Belgique célèbre son nouveau roi Philippe: Albert II a abdiqué dimanche en faveur de son fils Philippe, qui a prêté serment comme nouveau roi des Belges dans un pays divisé. » | dimanche 21 juillet 2013


Crying Queen of Belgium breaks down as she watches her husband abdicate and hand over the throne to their son » | Stuart Woledge | Sunday, July 21, 2013

Related »

King of Belgium Gives Final TV Message on Eve of Abdication

King Albert II has urged his citizens to support the new monarch in a final television message before he abdicates in favour of his son Philippe on Sunday.

Read the article here | Saturday, July 20, 2013
Albert II fait ses adieux à la Belgique »

Belgium's King Albert Abdicates on Grounds of Ill-health

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: King Albert II of Belgium has announced his abdication, the first time a Belgian monarch has voluntarily stepped down, amid ill health and a court case over his alleged paternity of an illegitimate daughter.

In an unexpected address to the nation, the king, aged 79, announced that he would formally abdicate in favour of his son, Crown Prince Philippe on July 21, Belgium's national day.

"I am at an age never attained by my predecessors. I have noticed that my age and health no longer allow me to fulfill my job as I should have wished. I would not meet my duties and not honour my view of the royal function if I stuck to my post at all costs," he said.

"It's a question of elementary respect for the institutions and of respect towards you. Following a twenty year reign I am of the opinion that the moment has come to hand the torch on to the next generation."

"I want to tell you now that it was an honour and a joy to devote a large part of my life to the service of this country and its people." » | Bruno Waterfield | Wednesday, July 03, 2013

Belgium's King Albert II Announces Abdication

BBC: The King of the Belgians, Albert II, has announced his abdication.

In a national televised address, the 79-year-old monarch said he would step down in favour of his son Crown Prince Philippe, 53, on 21 July, Belgium's national day.

He said his health was no longer good enough to fulfil his duties, and it was time to "pass on the torch to the next generation".

He said Philippe was "well prepared" to be his successor.

During Belgium's political deadlock in 2010-11, the king - who was set to mark 20 years on the throne next month - took on the role of mediator. » | Wednesday, July 03, 2013

Guests Arrive for the Dutch Royal Banquet

Read the Mail Online article here | Jill Reilly | Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Dutch abdication: Willem-Alexander becomes Europe's youngest monarch
Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands has officially abdicated in favour of a "new generation", with her son Willem-Alexander becoming king.

Read the The Daily Telegra[h article here | Bruno Waterfield, Amsterdam | Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Queen Beatrix Thanks Dutch People On Eve Of Abdication

BBC: Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands has made a farewell national address on the eve of her abdication and investiture of her son, Prince Willem-Alexander.

The queen thanked the Dutch people for their "heart-warming displays of affection" and also paid tribute to her late husband, Prince Claus.

The queen was also attending a sumptuous gala dinner in her honour at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.

She has been head of state since 1980, when her mother abdicated.

In her televised address, Queen Beatrix said that the people's devotion had given her the strength to carry on.

"Without your heart-warming and encouraging displays of affection, the burdens, which certainly have existed, would have weighed heavily."

Paying tribute to her late husband, Prince Claus, who died in 2002, she said he had helped modernise the House of Orange.

"Perhaps history will bear out that the choice of my partner was my best decision."

Monday evening's gala dinner was being attended by her family and other invited royals and high-ranking dignitaries. » | Monday, April 29, 2013

Dutch Queen to Abdicate in Favour of Her Son, Prince Willem-Alexander
The Netherlands will have its first king after more than 120 years. Queen Beatrix is abdicating after thirty years as head of state in favour of her eldest son, Prince Willem-Alexander, who will become the first Dutch king since 1890. The Queen will revert to the title of Princess, but not until the official handover, on April 30. Al Jazeera's Paul Brennan reports.