Denmark Queen Margrethe II final public appearance monarch abdication

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark will abdicate on January 14th after 52 years on the throne, making her son the new king.

Denmark's Queen Margrethe II recently made her final public appearance as monarch before abdicating on January 14th. Her eldest son, Crown Prince Frederik, will succeed her and become Frederik X. This marks the first resignation in Europe's oldest ruling monarchy in nearly 900 years.

The Queen's farewell was marked by a grand procession through Copenhagen, where she rode in a gilded, horse-drawn coach known as the Gold Coach. The 83-year-old monarch has been serving for 52 years, and her abdication will make way for her son to take over.

The Queen's decision to step down comes after a period of health issues, including back surgery in early 2023, which has led her to consider the future and the timing of passing on the responsibilities of the crown. Her resignation will be formalized at a state council meeting with the Danish government, where the 55-year-old Crown Prince and his Australian-born wife Mary will be declared the new king and queen of Denmark.

The public has shown their support for Queen Margrethe II, with thousands of people braving the freezing weather to cheer her on during her final public appearance. The Gold Coach, a 19th-century carriage covered in 24-carat gold leaf, was pulled by six white horses and escorted by members of the Hussar Regiment as the Queen made her way through the streets of Copenhagen.

The Christiansborg Palace, where the Queen concluded her New Year celebrations, is used for official royal events and also houses the Danish parliament, the prime minister's office, and Denmark's highest court. The Queen's abdication marks a historic moment for Denmark, as there is no tradition of monarchs abdicating to allow younger royalty to take over.

The Queen's reign will be remembered through a series of events, and her son, Crown Prince Frederik, will take on the responsibilities of the crown as the new king of Denmark. Her legacy and dedication to her country will be celebrated as she passes on the torch to the next generation of Danish royalty.