Denmark’s monarchy underwent a significant change as King Frederik X took the throne following the abdication of his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who had been the country’s longest-serving monarch for 52 years. The formal transfer of power occurred at a meeting of the Council of State at Christiansborg Palace.
Upon his ascension, King Frederik X adopted a royal motto: “United, committed, for the kingdom of Denmark.” With the abdication, Denmark now has two queens, as Queen Margrethe retains her title, and Frederik X’s wife of 19 years, Queen Mary, takes on the role of queen consort. King Frederik X’s 18-year-old son, Christian, now assumes the position of Denmark’s crown prince and heir to the throne.
Queen Margrethe’s decision to abdicate came as a surprise when she announced it in a live address on New Year’s Eve, citing a major back surgery she underwent in February last year. The historic event saw tens of thousands of Danes gather in Copenhagen to witness the throne-passing ceremony. The royal family is highly popular in Denmark, with 82 percent of the population expressing a very or rather positive view of the monarchy in a recent survey.
As King Frederik X begins his reign, he has expressed his hope to become a unifying king, stating, “It is a task I have approached all my life. It is a task I take on with pride.” The new king and his wife, Queen Mary, face their new roles with strong public support and enthusiasm for the monarchy in Denmark.