By STEWART CARR and HARRY HOWARD, HISTORY CORRESPONDENT
PUBLISHED: 12:34 EST, 31 December 2023 | UPDATED: 15:23 EST, 31 December 2023
Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II announces shock ab
Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II will abdicate on January 14 next year after 52 years on the throne, she announced during her traditional New Year’s Eve speech.
The monarch, famed for her chain-smoking as well as her flamboyant sense of style, will be succeeded by her eldest son Crown Prince Frederik.
The 83-year-old queen, who took over the throne in 1972, is the longest-serving monarch in Europe following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022.
In February, she underwent a successful back surgery.
‘The surgery naturally gave rise to thinking about the future – whether the time had come to leave the responsibility to the next generation,’ she said in her speech.
‘I have decided that now is the right time. On January 14, 2024, 52 years after I succeeded my beloved father, I will step down as Queen of Denmark.
‘I leave the throne to my son, Crown Prince Frederik.’
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In her broadcast today, Queen Margrethe II stated: ‘I have decided that now is the right time. On January 14, 2024, 52 years after I succeeded my beloved father, I will step down as Queen of Denmark.’
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The Danish Queen (right) will be succeeded by her eldest son Crown Prince Frederik (centre) pictured with his Australian-born wife Crown Princess Mary
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Margrethe II was the eldest of the three daughters of King Frederik IX of Denmark, and succeeded him to the throne in 1972
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Queen Margrethe II (centre) pictured with her son Crown Prince Frederik (left), daughter-in-law, Crown Princess Mary (right) and their four children Prince Christian, Princess Isabella, and twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine
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She is a chain smoker and is so ‘normal’ that she shops in the supermarket – but Queen Margrethe of Denmark is also the longest-reigning head of state in Europe. Above: The Queen lighting up in 1997 (left); and attending the annual New Year’s dinner at Christian VII’s Palace at Amalienborg, Copenhagen in January
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Margrethe enjoyed a close relationship with her third cousin Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, having bonded during several official visits to each other’s countries over the decades – most recently in 2000, when Margrethe was received at Windsor (above)
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Crown Prince Frederik reaches out an arm towards his wife during an engagement on November 8, days after a Spanish magazine pictured him on a night out with Mexican socialite Genoveva Casanova
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Divorcee Genoveva Casanova – the former daughter-in-law of the billionaire Duchess of Alba – was pictured by a Spanish gossip magazine enjoying a day out with Crown Prince Frederik in Madrid in October
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Pictures of Crown Prince Frederik and Genoveva Casanova enjoying a night out in Madrid in October caused a stir when they were published by a Spanish gossip magazine
The Danish Royal Family has been rocked by rumours in recent weeks – after photographs emerged of Crown Prince Frederik enjoying a night out with Mexican socialite Genoveva Casanova in Madrid in October.
Despite the swirling rumours of the alleged ‘affair’, Crown Prince Frederik, 55, and his Australian-born wife Crown Princess Mary 51, made a show of unity as they headed into Aarhus cathedral on Sunday, December 24.
In Denmark, formal power resides with the elected parliament and its government. The monarch is expected to stay above partisan politics, representing the nation with traditional duties ranging from state visits to national day celebrations.
Born in 1940, Margrethe has throughout her life enjoyed broad support from Danes, who are fond of her tactful and yet creative personality.
The monarch hit the headlines last year when she removed royal titles from the four children of her younger son Prince Joachim.
She enjoyed a close relationship with her third cousin Queen Elizabeth II, both descendants of Queen Victoria, having bonded during several state visits to each other’s countries down the decades – most recently in 2000, when Margrethe was received at Windsor.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen confirmed the decision in a news release that paid tribute to the 83-year-old monarch, offering a ‘heartfelt thank you to Her Majesty the Queen for her lifelong dedication and tireless efforts for the Kingdom’.
Margrethe is the ‘epitome of Denmark’ Ms Frederiksen’s statement read, and ‘throughout the years has put words and feelings into who we are as a people and as a nation’.
The six-feet-tall Margrethe has been one of the most popular public figures in Denmark. She often walked the streets of Copenhagen virtually unescorted and won the admiration of Danes for her warm manners and for her talents as a linguist and designer.
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On her 83rrd birthday on April 16, Queen Margrethe waved to crowds of well-wishers outside the Palace in Copenhagen
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The monarch was also joined by her son Frederik, Crown Prince and his wife Princess Mary and their four children
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Crown Princess Mary of Denmark has been spotted holding hands with husband Prince Frederik while attending a Christmas Eve church service with their four children
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The royal couple were all smiles as they stepped out on Christmas Eve alongside Prince Christian, 18, Princess Isabella, 16, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, both 12
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Prince Frederik has also been spotted looking relaxed and carefree in recent weeks as he continues with his royal duties amid the global headlines
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Both Frederik, who is a fourth cousin of King Charles, and his wife Mary are yet to comment personally on rumours of an alleged affair (pictured on November 7)
