Following his mother Queen Margrethe II’s abdication, 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, looking 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.
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 ensuring that the enduring bond between our countries, and our families, remains strong.”
The last reigning queen in history, Margrethe, was 83 years old and the longest-reigning monarch in Europe. In a breathtaking live speech on New Year’s Eve, she declared that her historic term would end after 52 years.
She explained that after having back surgery recently, 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 though 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 are able to carry out their obligations as head of state—for example, when 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 are 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 changeover was a far more low-key event.
Nevertheless, a throng of well-wishers were lining the streets to take in the show.
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 center of Copenhagen, have formal authority.
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 feel “very different” from 1972, according to Birgitte Borup, culture editor of the Danish newspaper 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, abdication of a monarch 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.
Festivities about nine thousand kilometers away
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 definitely pleasure her proud followers back home.
During the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, a chance meeting at a bar led to the beginning of their royal romance. At first, Hobart, Tasmania-born sales executive 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.” Nevertheless, since Frederik was the one footing the bill, I guess attention was focused on him!
Over the years, Mary’s significant life events have continued to be honored at this well-liked tourist destination. In 2004 the couple’s lavish wedding in Copenhagen Cathedral was screened 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 over the bar, Danish-inspired hot dogs, and a special cocktail in honor of the new Queen, it is the epicenter of Sydney’s celebrations once more.
On behalf of the country, the Australian federal government has honored the momentous occasion 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 donation of 10,000 Australian dollars, or roughly $6,000. This announcement was made by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
“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 endeavored 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 regular 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 public favor are the rights of women and girls, public health, sustainability, and the climate catastrophe.
Mary might not have been a royal by birth, but “you’d think she was,” according to Borup.
“She carries herself with such grace and is an amazing representative for the nation of Denmark,” the Berlingske culture editor stated. She has a reputation for being well-prepared at all times and for taking on challenging projects, like raising awareness of domestic abuse.
The legend that Mary was fortunate to meet a fairytale prince when she and Frederik first met in Australia used to circulate. Time has, I believe, proved that he was even lucky.