Abdication of Margrethe II

Per Danish state custom, the prime minister of Denmark then proclaimed the change of monarch from the balcony of Christiansborg Palace.

[1] In an interview in 2012 to mark her ruby jubilee, she said she would "remain on the throne until [she fell] off"[2] and added, "In my eyes, it's part of the position that you have when you inherit a monarchy: it is a task you have handed down to you, and that you keep as long as you live, the way my father did and my grandfather before him.

[9] On 21 December, 2023, Margrethe made the surprise announcement of her abdication on live television in her New Year's Eve address.

She cited her extensive back surgery in February 2023, and said that the operation made her reassess her position and consider "whether now would be an appropriate time to pass on the responsibility to the next generation".

[9][10][11] Margrethe thanked the public for their "overwhelming warmth and support" over the years; the changing governments for their "rewarding collaboration"; and the parliament for "always vesting their confidence in me".

[9] It is understood that, prior to the announcement, the only people aware of Margrethe's intention to abdicate were the Danish prime minister, her cousin King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, and a select few others.

[17][18][19] The abdication of Queen Margrethe II took place at Christiansborg Palace on 14 January 2024, the 52nd anniversary of her accession to the throne.

A visibly moved Margrethe said "Gud bevare kongen" (God save the king) and left the Council Chamber.

[21][28] In a DR interview published in December of the same year, Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen stated that every detail had been meticulously planned, except those three words: "[I]t is both a queen who abdicates, but also a mother who lifts herself from her chair, physically takes a step behind and stands looking at the king".

[30][31] According to Danish state custom, the Prime Minister proclaimed three times: "Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II has abdicated.

[32][33] The King then made a speech and presented his royal motto: "Forbundne, forpligtet, for Kongeriget Danmark" (United, committed, for the Kingdom of Denmark).

The King and Queen then returned from Christiansborg Palace to their residence in Amalienborg in the Golden Wedding Anniversary Coach, escorted by the Guard Hussar Regiment's mounted squadron.

[49][50] Celebrations were particularly noted in Australia due to Crown Princess Mary, a native of Tasmania, becoming the first Australian-born queen consort of a European country upon her husband's accession as King of Denmark.

[51] Public buildings across Tasmania including the Tasman Bridge, the Launceston Town Hall, and Devonport's paranaple convention centre were illuminated in the colours of the Danish flag on 14 January 2024.

The Tasmanian Government donated A$10,000 to the Alannah and Madeline Foundation in honour of Queen Mary's international patronage.

[52] To mark Mary's elevation to Queen, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the federal government's donation of A$10,000 to Wildcare Tasmania to support the conservation of the Tasmanian devil.

Lasse Harkjær, the Master of Ceremonies resigned on 1 March 2024 to take up the position of Chief of Staff in Queen Margrethe's Court.

[62] Honorary titles, such as lady-in-waiting, chamberlain and master huntsman, were not affected by the change of monarch, and the same applied to already awarded orders and medals.

[59] The news of Queen Margrethe's abdication was described as a "surprise" and a "shock", as many people had expected her to remain on the throne until her death.

[63][64][7] Danish newspapers hailed the Queen for her 52 years of service, with the broadsheet Weekendavisen describing her speech as "personal and perfectly balanced" with "no drama, no unnecessary pathos ... an abdication that can only take place in Denmark.

"[12] In a statement, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen thanked the Queen for "her lifelong dedication and tireless efforts for the Kingdom" and described her as the "epitome of Denmark".

[64][65] In her New Year's address on 1 January 2024, Frederiksen spoke of the shock and disbelief felt by Danes the moment the Queen announced her abdication and said it was "as if the time came to a standstill."

But the fact that the Royal House lives on as an institution is largely the merit of Margrethe the person.Deputy Prime Minister Troels Lund Poulsen noted that the Queen's decision to abdicate shows both her "wisdom" and the monarchy's "strength and durability for Denmark", and said that the new King "will be able to lead the Danish monarchy safely into a new era, where tradition and renewal will be able to follow each other.

[67][70] Aksel V. Johannesen, prime minister of the Faroe Islands, hailed Margrethe as the "epitome of stability and majesty", and thanked the Queen for her "great work and faithfulness.