RIGHT NOW: The Danish queen leaves the throne

Royally  

 

Danish royal house 

 

The Queen of Denmark abdicates  

 

Amanda Hällsten  

 

Updated 19.02 | Published 18.14 

 

Queen Margrethe of Denmark abdicates.  

 

Crown Prince Frederik now takes over as king. 

 

- I have decided that now is the right time, she says. 

 

Denmark's Queen Margrethe, 83, announces in her New Year's speech that she will abdicate.  

 

- Time is running out and health is getting worse, says Queen Margrethe. 

 

Earlier this year, she underwent, among other things, back surgery.  

 

From January 14, Crown Prince Frederik will take over as king - exactly 52 years after the Queen was crowned. 

 

- I have decided that now is the right time, she says.  

 

When Frederik is crowned king, his son, Prince Christian, becomes the new crown prince.

Crown Prince Frederik becomes Denmark's new king. Photo: Henning Bagger / AP
 

The Queen, Crown Prince Frederik and Prince Christian, who will now be second in line to the throne. Photo: Mads Claus Rasmussen / AP  

 

Thanks to the Danish people  

 

Over the years, Margrethe has made herself known as an artist, scenographer - but also as a person who enjoys life. Now she thanks the people of Denmark. 

 

- Tonight, first of all, I want to say thank you. Thank you for the overwhelming warmth and support I have received over the years. A thank you to the changing governments, with whom it has always been rewarding to work together, and to the Danish Parliament, who have always met me with confidence, she says, and continues: 

 

- My thanks must go to all the many, many people who, at special events, as well as in everyday life, have surrounded me and my family with loving words and thoughts.  

 

With Margrethe abdicating, her cousin, Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf will become the longest-serving, now living regent in the world.  

 

 

Queen Margrethe and King Carl XVI Gustaf. Photo: Andreas Bardell  

 

 

Crown Prince Frederik and Queen Margrethe. Photo: Mads Claus Rasmussen / AP 

 

Court expert: Sensational news  

 

This is the first time in 500 years that a Danish regent has abdicated. Aftonbladet's court expert Jenny Alexandersson says that the announcement is sensational. 

 

- It's a big deal. Perhaps mainly because Denmark does not have a tradition of regents abdicating. You are queen or king until the day you die, she says.  

 

She also says that Margrethe's health problems seem to have influenced her choice to abdicate.  

 

- It has been noticed that she has not been feeling very well lately, which she also says in her New Year's speech. I think that plays into it quite a bit. In a way, you can understand that she thinks it's the right time now, says Jenny Alexandersson. 

 

Queen Margrethe has decided to leave the throne after 52 years. Queen Margrethe and King Carl Gustaf at Stockholm Palace on the occasion of King Carl XVI Gustaf's 50th anniversary on the throne.  

 

  

Queen Margrethe has decided to leave the throne after 52 years.  

1 / 2Photo: Mads Claus Rasmussen / AP