Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II on Sunday announced she will abdicate the throne after a reign lasting more than half a century.
Margrethe, 83, will hand over the throne to her son, Crown Prince Frederik, she said in her traditional New Year’s Eve speech broadcast on Danish television.
After the death of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II last year Margrethe became the longest-serving monarch in Europe.
She cited back surgery in February 2023 as giving her thoughts about the future.
“In two weeks time I have been Queen of Denmark for 52 years,” she said.
“Such an amount will leave its mark on anybody – also on me! The time takes its toll, and the number of ‘ailments’ increases. One cannot undertake as much as one managed in the past,” she added.
“In February this year I underwent extensive back surgery,” she said. “Everything went well, thanks to the competent health personnel, who took care of me. Inevitably, the operation gave cause to thoughts about the future – whether now would be an appropriate time to pass on the responsibility to the next generation.
“I have decided that now is the right time,” she said.
She said she would step down on January 14, 52 years after she succeeded her father and hand over the throne to her elder son Crown Prince Frederik.
Queen Margrethe II took over the throne on 14 January 1972 following the death of King Frederik IX.
Prince Frederik will take over the throne as His Majesty King Frederik X in January, the Danish Prime Minister’s office said in a statement.
The Queen will continue to be titled as Her Majesty following the handover.
Denmark’s royals have a limited role under the country’s constitution. However, monarchs play an important ambassadorial role as well as signing off on new legislation.
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