In a television speech for the New Year, Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II unexpectedly announced her abdication.
On January 14, which will be 52 years to the day since she became queen, she will legally abdicate.
“I will leave the throne to my son, Crown Prince Frederik,” she said.
Since her father, King Frederik IX, passed away in 1972, the 83-year-old has been the only reigning queen in the world and the longest-serving monarchy in Europe.
She disclosed that the choice was taken during back surgery in the early months of 2023, after some thought.
“On behalf of the entire population, I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Her Majesty The Queen for her lifelong dedication and tireless efforts for the Kingdom,” she said in a statement.
“Although the duty and position of regent has been handed down for more than 1,000 years, it is still difficult to understand that the time has now come for a change of throne,” the statement read.
“Many of us have never known another regent. Queen Margrethe is the epitome of Denmark and throughout the years has put words and feelings into who we are as a people and as a nation.”
Crown Prince Frederik, 55, will not be formally crowned, in contrast to British royal practice. Rather, on that day, the announcement of his ascension will come from Copenhagen’s Amalienborg Castle.
He will succeed her as the sovereign and head of state of Denmark, a constitutional monarchy that also includes Greenland and the Faroe Islands.
She’s regarded by some as the longest-reigning monarch in history. Although Brunei’s Sultan has held the throne for a longer period of time, his nation only became independent in 1984.
After overtaking King Christian IV of Denmark and Norway earlier this year, she is now the longest-serving monarch in Danish history.
Known by her affectionate nickname Daisy, Queen Margrethe is well-known for her smoking habits and her denial of the internet and cell phones, stating that she is “very happy” without them.
