Denmark has a new monarch. Frederik X became king of the northern European country on Sunday (January 14th) after the abdication of his mother, Queen Margrethe II, after a reign of 52 years. The event was attended by more than 100,000 people.

After a final carriage ride through Copenhagen in front of tens of thousands of people waving Danish flags, Queen Margrethe arrived at Christiansborg Palace.

At a Council of State, she signed her act of abdication shortly after 14 p.m. (13 GMT) – a first in the Scandinavian kingdom in 900 years – making her 55-year-old eldest son, heir to the throne, the new monarch.

The images broadcast on television shortly after this solemn moment show her very emotional, dressed in a dark pink ensemble, signing the document before standing up and indicating to Frederik, who had been placed on her right until then, to sit in his chair at the head of the table.

Margrethe then left the Council, which includes the government, the new king, his wife and their eldest son Christian – the new crown prince – freed from her role as monarch and head of state. His car left the palace to cheers from onlookers, many of whom wore paper or plastic crowns on their heads.

Introduction by the Prime Minister

Frederik X will be introduced to his people by Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on the balcony of Christiansborg at 15 p.m. (14 GMT) with his wife, Queen Mary, at his side. Of Australian origin, she is the first queen of the country not to have blue blood.

"It's so exciting for an ordinary person like us to become queen!" said Judy Langtree, a retiree from Brisbane, Australia.

Some 100,000 people came from all over the country to catch a glimpse of the royal family, some in ski suits, others wrapped in Danish flags, some arriving more than five hours early.

In Copenhagen, hotels were stormed and it was almost impossible to reach the Danish capital by public transport this weekend.

Access to Christiansborg Palace Square was closed to the public shortly after 13 p.m. (12 GMT) due to the influx of people.

The day's protocol broadly reflects Denmark's tradition of succession. No foreign dignitaries are invited, and the sovereign, who does not wear a crown, literally does not ascend a throne.

A "very symbolic" day

Exactly 52 years ago, on January 14, 1972, Margrethe II became queen upon the death of her father, Frederik IX. It thus abdicates on the exact day of the anniversary of its accession. "So this day is very symbolic," said Cecilie Nielsen, royal correspondent for DR public television, who said Queen Margrethe had controlled her exit perfectly.

While the announcement of his withdrawal during his traditional televised New Year's Eve on December 31 came as a surprise – his own family had only been informed three days earlier – it was quickly accepted. The Queen underwent major back surgery in 2023.

More than 80% of Danes support her decision, and the monarch will keep her title and will still be able to represent the royal house at official ceremonies.

Not tying herself to the throne until she "falls" from it, as she has publicly stated in the past, will allow her eldest son, whose responsibilities have grown in recent years, to flourish in his role as monarch, experts say.

"She thinks the crown prince is quite ready to take over. And maybe she wants to avoid a situation like in Britain, where Prince Charles became King Charles at over 70," notes historian Lars Hovbakke Sørensen.

Frederik, who has been crown prince since he was three years old, benefits from his own popularity and is expected to impose his style on the Danish monarchy, which dates back to the Viking kings of the 10th century. "Queen Margrethe II is a woman of her time and Frederik also lives in her time. He understood that he couldn't copy it and managed to create his own image, his own link with the Danes," says historian Bo Lidegaard.

In Denmark, the role of the monarch, head of state, is mainly representative and ceremonial. He did, however, sign laws and formally preside over the constitution of the government, which he meets at regular intervals.

With AFP

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