—15 January 1972: Little under a day after her father, King Frederik IX, had died and she had become Denmark's first official female monarch, 31-year-old Margrethe II was proclaimed Queen from the balcony of Christiansborg Palace by Prime Minister Jens Otto Krag.
—14 January 2024: Little under an hour after his mother, Queen Margrethe II, had signed a declaration of her abdication at a Council of State – becoming the first Danish monarch in 878 years to do so – 55-year-old Frederik X was proclaimed King from the balcony of Christiansborg Palace by Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.
Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II of Denmark has chosen to abdicate from the Danish throne the 14th of January, after 52 years on the throne.
She told the whole kingdom of Denmark, and the rest of the world, live on television during her new year speech to the people.
There has not been a voluntary abdication in Denmark since the early medieval times (1100-1200)
The Queen has always said that she will sit on the throne until her last breath, which is why her abdication comes as a surprise to everyone.
Her son Crown Prince Frederik and his wife Crown Princess Mary will take over as King Frederik X and Queen Mary.
Thank you, your majesty, for all you have done for us and how you have always shown your love and respect to the Danish people. We look forward to seeing you hopefully enjoy your abdication and hopefully we will still see more of your incredible creative mind . We have trust in our new King and Queen as we already know that you have prepared them well for their new job.
Queen Margrethe II, Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark attend the diplomatic corps New Year reception at Christiansborg Palace, Copenhagen, Denmark | January 3, 2024
Princess Josephine of Denmark, ever the professional as she attends her eldest brother Prince Christian of Denmark’s 18th birthday gala, swiftly recovers from tripping on her dress on 15 October 2023
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark has announced her abdication.
She announced in her New Year's speech this evening that she will abdicate on January 14th, 2024, the 52nd anniversary of her ascension. Crown Prince Frederik will be King of Denmark.
"(Frederik and I) have a very close relationship. He has always been very protective. Crown Prince Haakon has also been, and it has meant a lot to me."
- Crown Princess Victoria, who was the youngest of the Scandinavian heirs for over 40 years, talking about the protective role the Crown Princes played in her life
Danish Royal Family - A portrait of then Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark before he headed to Christiansborg Palace early to become King. (Photo taken by Dennis Stenild) | January 14, 2024
Foreign Royals and other Guests pose for a group photograph at the State Banquet held in honour of the Royal Wedding of Crown Prince Hussein and Crown Princess Rajwa in Jordan | 2 JUNE 2023