Following his mother Queen Margrethe II’s resignation, Denmark’s King Frederik X assumed the throne. He waved to the thousands of people assembled in the country’s capital, Copenhagen, to commemorate the beginning of a new era, appearing visibly sad.
His mother, Margrethe, was the only monarch many Danes had ever known. However, her son, the former Crown Prince Frederik, was able to replace her due to her shocking abdication after more than 50 years in power.
The formal transfer of the throne to Frederik took place during a cabinet meeting in Christiansborg Palace in the Danish capital when Margrethe signed a declaration of her abdication.
Despite the bitter cold, sizable throngs of people flocked to Copenhagen’s streets, with sporadic melodies resonating throughout the throng as they anticipated the momentous occasion.
The King’s coronation was then officially announced by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen from the palace balcony, following a custom established by the 1849 constitution.
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After making a brief statement in response to the proclamation, Frederik was joined by Queen Mary, his Australian-born wife, and their four children, one of whom is the Crown Prince Christian, the heir apparent.
The 45-year-old Kasper Wiigh Larsen was one of the hundreds of people crowding the capital. He told Reuters, “Watching him perform so well up on the balcony, both with his speech and when Mary came out and held his hands and finished with a kiss, brought tears to my eyes in a happy way.”
Charles III, the monarch of Britain, who was crowned last summer, has congratulated the new king and queen.
He stated in his statement, “I look forward to working with you on issues which matter so much for our countries and the wider world, and to working together on making sure that our nations’ and our families’ eternal bonds are maintained.”
At eighty-three, Margrethe was the last reigning queen in history and the longest-reigning monarch in Europe. She made the momentous announcement in a breathtaking live speech on New Year’s Eve that her 52-year career will end.
After having back surgery recently, she claimed she had been considering “whether now would be an appropriate time to pass on the responsibility to the next generation” and had concluded “that now is the right time.”
The Danish Royal House states that although Margrethe is no longer the sovereign, she will still be called Her Majesty and may be crowned an acting regent. This implies that in situations when neither King Frederik nor Crown Prince Christian can carry out their obligations as head of state—for example, while they are abroad—she will be allowed to do so. Other Danish royals who are capable of taking on the job of acting regent in case it becomes necessary include Princess Benedikte, Frederik’s aunt, and his brother, Prince Joachim.
With a history spanning over a millennium, the Danish monarchy is among the oldest in Europe; nonetheless, there isn’t a customary coronation ceremony. Because of this, foreign leaders and prominent dignitaries did not attend; in contrast to the international spectacle and fanfare of King Charles III’s coronation in May, the Danish transition was a far more low-key event.
Nevertheless, a throng of well-wishers were lining the streets to take in the show.
There isn’t a customary crowning ceremony in Denmark, despite the monarchy being among the oldest in Europe, dating back over a millennium. The Danish transition was a far more low-key event than the international spectacle and splendour of King Charles III’s coronation in May, hence foreign leaders and prominent dignitaries were not there.
Nevertheless, there were a lot of well-wishers seeing the performance in the streets.
Denmark is a constitutional monarchy, and in addition to approving all new laws, the royal family also plays a significant yet symbolic role as ambassadors. The elected parliament and its cabinet, housed at Christiansborg Palace in the centre of Copenhagen, have formal authority.
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And on Sunday, King Frederik X, the reigning king of Denmark, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands, made his final visit there as crown prince.
The change between monarchs will seem “very different” from 1972, according to Birgitte Borup, culture editor of the Danish daily Berlingske, who told CNN that “just because the queen is alive.”
“It’s the first time in 900 years a Danish king or queen has abdicated. Compared to the previous occasion when a young Margrethe took over, this will be a more joyous affair, she clarified. “While most Danes seem to understand that the queen wishes to pass on the torch due to declining health, her decision to abdicate was shocking.”
In Denmark, the abdication of a king is extremely uncommon. King Eric III was the last Danish king to do this, giving up the throne in 1146 to enter a monastery. However, several European royal houses engage in this practice more frequently.
Borup stated that although Frederik has had widespread support from Danes throughout his reign as crown prince, he will have work to do as monarch since Denmark is “entering a new modern era.”
He may carry on opening up the monarchy to the populace. Keeping the monarchy relevant and appealing in the next years will be his biggest task.
Festivities about nine thousand kilometres distant
Not only do people from the Nordic nation celebrate Margrethe giving her son the reins. King Frederik X is governing with his Australian-born and extremely beloved wife, Queen Mary – which will pleasure her proud followers back home.
During the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, a fortuitous meeting at a pub led to the beginning of their royal affair. At first, Hobart, Tasmania-born sales professional Mary Elizabeth Donaldson had no idea that she was having a conversation with a real-life royal.
The future King and Queen of Denmark met at Sydney’s Slip Inn, which is located close to Darling Harbour. At the time, Justin Tynan was the venue’s manager. “I mean, I do remember her. She’s a really beautiful woman.” However, since he was the one footing the bill, I guess attention was focused on Frederik,” he told CNN.
Over the years, Mary’s significant life events have continued to be honoured at this well-liked tourist destination. In 2004 the couple’s lavish wedding in Copenhagen Cathedral was shown live, and two years later the couple’s first son, Prince Christian, was born. Prince Christian is currently the heir apparent and the crown prince.
With Danish flags floating above the bar, Danish-inspired hot dogs and a special drink in honour of the new Queen, it is the epicentre of Sydney’s celebrations once more.
On behalf of the country, the Australian federal government has honoured the momentous event with a special gift of its own. The conservation of one of the most well-known but endangered marsupials in Mary’s home state will receive a contribution of 10,000 Australian dollars, which is roughly $6,000. This announcement was made by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
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“Australians have followed the story of Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark closely and hold it dear to their hearts,” he stated in a statement on Saturday. “As the Crown Princess Mary was raised in Tasmania, it is appropriate that Australia commemorates this milestone by donating to the Tasmanian devil’s conservation.”
Relocating to Denmark, the royal couple has garnered popularity and endeavoured to update the monarchy. They have provided their four children, Christian, 18, Isabella, 16, and the twins, Vincent and Josephine, 13, with a conventional upbringing, attending ordinary state schools.
Compared to the British royal family, the Danish royal family is less formal. They have received recognition for their groundedness and are frequently spotted out and about, dining, shopping, or riding bicycles in public just like regular people.
Among the topics of Frederik and Mary’s responsibilities that have helped them gain popular favour are the rights of women and girls, public health, sustainability, and climate catastrophe.
Mary might not have been a princess by birth, but “you’d think she was,” according to Borup.
The Berlingske cultural editor praised her for “her amazing representation of Denmark” and “her graceful demeanour.” She has a reputation for being well-prepared at all times and for taking on challenging projects, including raising awareness of domestic abuse.