The abdication marked a major event in Danish history, with large crowds gathering in the capital.
Denmark witnessed a historic moment when King Frederick X officially ascended the throne on Sunday, succeeding his mother, Queen Margaret II, who voluntarily abdicated after 52 years as monarch.
The abdication marked a significant event in the nation's history, with large crowds gathering in the capital to witness the transition.
Queen Margrethe, 83, shocked the nation on New Year's Eve with her announcement, becoming the first Danish monarch in nearly 900 years to voluntarily renounce the throne.
The formalization of the succession came when Margrethe signed the declaration of abdication during a Council of State meeting in parliament, as Denmark, one of the oldest monarchies in the world, does not have a coronation ceremony.
The meeting, attended by government representatives Queen Margaret, King Frederick X, 55, and his Australian-born wife Queen Mary, 51, along with their eldest son and new heir to the throne, Prince Cristián, 18, marked the official transfer. of power.
Afterwards, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen proclaimed the new king on the balcony of parliament, where King Frederick X gave a short speech.
Despite the frigid temperatures, tens of thousands of people from across Denmark gathered to witness the historic events, which show the immense popularity of the monarchy in the nation of almost six million people.
“We came here today because history is being made before our eyes. We had to be here,” said Soren Kristian Bisgaard, a 30-year-old pilot, reflecting the widespread sentiment.
In the afternoon, the new royal couple, King Frederick X and Queen Mary, traveled by horse-drawn carriage to their residence, Amalienborg, a historic royal complex in central Copenhagen.
The couple will continue to reside with Queen Margaret, who retains her title as queen, in Amalienborg, each in their respective palaces within the complex.
Queen Margaret, who had previously expressed her intention to remain on the throne for life, did not specify the exact reason for her resignation, but cited major back surgery in February of the previous year that led her to contemplate her future.
Historian Lars Hovbakke Sorensen noted that the queen may have considered Prince Frederick's readiness to assume power at age 55, avoiding the scenario of an elderly king.
The new king and queen take on their roles amid strong public support for the monarchy, and recent polls indicate high expectations for King Frederick X and Queen Mary in their new roles, reflecting an 82% approval rating and 86%, respectively, among the Danish population. .
