After 52 years on the throne, Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II announced in her annual New Year’s speech that she will abdicate in favor of her eldest son Crown Prince Frederik on January 14.
Preceded only by late British Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away in September 2022, the 83-year-old queen will be the longest-serving monarch in Europe.
In February, she underwent a successful back surgery. “The surgery naturally gave rise to thinking about the future – whether the time had come to leave the responsibility to the next generation,” she said in the speech on Sunday.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen confirmed the decision in a press release.
He paid respect to the monarch, saying “a heartfelt thank you to Her Majesty the Queen for her lifelong dedication and tireless efforts for the Kingdom.”
The ultimate power in Denmark resides with its elected parliament and government.
The Monarch usually performs conventional obligations such as state visits and national day festivities.