Danish Queen Margrethe II announced this Sunday during her traditional New Year's speech that she would abdicate on January 14, after 52 years of reign.
"On January 14, 2024, 52 years after succeeding my beloved father, I will step down as Queen of Denmark. I will leave the throne to my son, Crown Prince Frederick," she said on the occasion of her televised wishes.
The 83-year-old queen, who assumed the throne in 1972 at the age of 31 following the death of her father, Frederick IX, is the longest-serving monarch in Europe following the death of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II in September. of 2022.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen confirmed the decision in a press release in which she paid tribute to the monarch, offering “sincere thanks to Her Majesty the Queen for her lifelong dedication and tireless efforts for the Kingdom.” .
In February, he underwent successful back surgery. "The surgery naturally made me think about the future: whether it was time to hand over responsibility to the next generation," she said in the speech.
"I have decided that now is the right time. On January 14, 2024, 52 years after succeeding my beloved father, I will step down as Queen of Denmark," she argued. "I leave the throne to my son, Crown Prince Frederik," she added.
A chain smoker, she has been one of Denmark's most popular public figures. She often walked the streets of Copenhagen virtually unaccompanied and earned the admiration of the Danes for her warm manner and her talent as a linguist and designer.
A passionate skier, as a princess she was part of a female unit of the Danish air force, participating in judo courses and snow endurance tests. Margrethe remained tough even as she grew up. In 2011, at age 70, she visited Danish troops in southern Afghanistan dressed in military overalls.
As monarch, she toured the country, regularly visiting Greenland and the Faroe Islands, the two semi-independent territories that are part of the Danish Kingdom, and was greeted everywhere by cheering crowds.
In Denmark, formal power resides in the elected parliament and its government. The monarch is expected to stay above partisan politics and represent the nation with traditional duties ranging from state visits to national day celebrations.
Born in 1940, Margarita has enjoyed the extensive support of the Danes throughout her life, who appreciate her discreet and at the same time creative personality.
