Danish queen says will abdicate on 14 January

Agence France-Presse·1 January 2024, 2:03 am·1 min read

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Danish queen says will abdicate on 14 January — (L-R) Norway's King Harald, Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria and Sweden's Princess Estelle are pictured on the balcony as the King oversees the Changing of the Royal Guard in the Outer Courtyard for the 50th anniversary of King Carl XVI Gustaf's accession to the throne at the Royal Palace in Stockholm, Sweden, on 15 September 2023. (Photo by Jonathan NACKSTRAND / AFP)

Queen Margarethe of Denmark announced during her traditional New Year's Eve televised address Sunday that she would abdicate on 14 January, making way for her son, Crown Prince Frederik.

Citing her age and health issues, she made the announcement during her traditional New Year's Eve speech broadcast on Danish television.

"In two weeks time I have been Queen of Denmark for 52 years," she said.

That length of time would take its time on anyone, she added. "One cannot undertake as much as one managed in the past…

"On 14th January, 2024 –- 52 years after I succeeded my beloved father -– I will step down as Queen of Denmark. I will hand over the throne to my son Crown Prince Frederik."