In a shock announcement, Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II has introduced that she is going to abdicate after 52 years on the throne. She will probably be be succeeded by her eldest son Crown Prince Frederik.
Her stunning announcement got here throughout her conventional New Yr’s Eve speech broadcast on Danish tv. The Queen cited a again surgical procedure in February 2023 as giving her ideas in regards to the future.
“In two weeks time I’ve been Queen of Denmark for 52 years,” she mentioned. “Such an quantity will depart its mark on anyone – additionally on me! The time takes its toll, and the variety of illnesses will increase. One can’t undertake as a lot as one managed prior to now,” she added.
“In February this 12 months I underwent intensive again surgical procedure,” she mentioned. “Every part went nicely, because of the competent well being personnel, who took care of me. Inevitably, the operation gave trigger to ideas in regards to the future – whether or not now could be an acceptable time to cross on the accountability to the subsequent technology. I’ve determined that now’s the fitting time,” she mentioned.
“On 14th January, 2024 – 52 years after I succeeded my beloved father – I’ll step down as Queen of Denmark. I’ll hand over the throne to my son Crown Prince Frederik,” the Queen introduced.
Crown Prince Couple, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark and Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark |AFP
Queen Margrethe II took the throne on 14 January 1972 following the dying of King Frederik IX. Upon the dying of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022, Margrethe turned the longest-sitting monarch in Denmark’s historical past.
Although Denmark’s royals have a restricted position underneath the nation’s structure with energy resting with parliament, Queen Margrethe turned a well-liked determine in Denmark. Recognized for her chainsmoking behavior, the Queen can be well-liked for her inventive skills, having translating performs and illustrated a number of books.
She has translated performs, together with Simone de Beauvoir’s ‘All Males Are Mortal’ together with her French-born husband underneath a pseudonym. She has additionally illustrated a number of books, together with a Danish 2002 version of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings”, and her work have been exhibited in museums and galleries in Denmark and overseas.
She will probably be succeeded by Crown Prince Frederik, who represents the nation’s relaxed, liberal monarchy. “When the time comes, I’ll information the ship,” he mentioned in a speech celebrating his mom’s half century on the throne. “I’ll observe you, as you adopted your father” in main the thousand-year-old establishment, Prince Frederik added.
