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It’s the end of one royal era, but the beginning of another!
On Sunday, Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II officially abdicated the throne, making her eldest son, King Frederik X, the country’s new reigning monarch.
The Queen made her final major decision during a Council of State at Christiansborg Palace. There, Margrethe was filmed seated next to Frederik and his immediate heir, his 18-year-old son, Prince Christian, as she smiled while signing the official decree.
MADS CLAUS RASMUSSEN/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images
Margrethe’s abdication came on the 52nd anniversary of the day she took the throne in 1972, at the age of 31, following the sudden death of her father, King Frederik IX.
Not pictured was Mary, the Queen consort, who is not an official member of council.
Following the exchange of power, Frederik made his first appearance on the palace balcony as the king.
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“My Mother, Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II. has ruled Denmark for 52 years,” he told the public, who stood before him, in Danish. “For half a century, she has kept track of the times with our shared heritage as an outlet. She will forever be remembered as a regent beyond the ordinary. My mother has managed to walk in one with her kingdom. It’s a task I’ve been approaching my whole life.”
He continued, “It’s a responsibility I take on with respect, pride and great joy. It’s a deed I will do my best and carry through the confidence I encounter. From my beloved wife, from my family, from you and from that which is bigger than us. I face the future with the knowledge that I am not standing alone. United, bound, to the Kingdom of Denmark. “
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In the moments that followed, he was joined by the queen consort and their children, Princess Isabella,16, and twins Princess Josephine and Prince Vincent, 13.
Together, the family made their first official appearance. Also in attendance for the special day was Margrethe’s son, Prince Joachim. Neither his wife, nor his children (who were recently stripped of their royal titles) did not attend the event.
The new king and queen’s official portrait and Crest Coat of Arms were revealed on the family’s official Instagram account.
Margrethe shocked the royal world when she announced during her New Year’s Eve that she would officially abdicate the throne.
“I have decided that now is the right time. On 14 January 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,” the Queen shared what will now be her final New Year’s Eve address to the Danish public.
In addition, the 83-year-old cited her age and health issues for her decision.
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