Tens of 1000’s of individuals gathered on the streets of Copenhagen to rejoice the accession of Denmark’s new king, Frederik X, on Sunday, simply two weeks after his mom, Queen Margrethe II, made the dramatic announcement that she would abdicate.
The nation’s prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, introduced the brand new king, bareheaded and sporting a darkish Navy uniform adorned with medals and golden epaulets, to the Danish folks from a balcony of Copenhagen’s Christiansborg Palace, which homes the Parliament, in a transfer seen as underlining Denmark’s democratic character.
Elevating a white-gloved hand to acknowledge the acclamations from the cheering crowds who had gathered in entrance of the palace, he appeared to wipe away a tear as Ms. Fredriksen proclaimed him as king. Then in a speech, King Frederik, 55, paid tribute to his mom, saying she would “at all times be remembered as a rare ruler.”
For himself, he mentioned, “My hope is to turn out to be a unifying king of tomorrow. It’s a process I’ve been approaching all my life. It’s a process I tackle with pleasure, respect and pleasure.”
He then shared a kiss together with his Australian-born spouse, Queen Mary, 51, on the balcony to extra and louder cheers. They left the palace in a horse-drawn carriage accompanied by mounted guards, heading for Amalienborg Palace, the place they’ve their residence.
Massive crowds of individuals, lots of them waving small Danish flags, had additionally lined the route via the streets of Copenhagen as King Frederik made his strategy to Christiansborg by automobile in a motorcade as bells rang out from a close-by church.
Earlier than the general public look, Margrethe formally handed the monarchy to King Frederik in a gathering that was later proven on tv, quietly signing her abdication papers, and, handing them over to Ms. Frederiksen, saying merely, “There.”
Margrethe’s abdication got here 52 years after she succeeded her father in the identical palace following his loss of life. She had been the longest-serving monarch in Europe. In contrast to the proclamation in 1972, which was marked by grief at King Frederik IX’s passing, the temper Sunday was cheerful.
In a New Yr’s speech, Queen Margrethe, 83, cited her age and well being as components in her choice to step down. On the identical time, she introduced that her son Frederik would succeed her.
King Frederik, who is called an easygoing, sports-loving and climate-friendly prince, was already extraordinarily fashionable amongst Danes, who overwhelmingly assist a monarchy.
Denmark’s king serves as a head of state and is accountable for signing all acts of Parliament earlier than they turn out to be regulation. However legislative powers have been within the palms of elected officers since 1849.
Lars Hovbakke Sorensen, an knowledgeable on the Danish royal household, mentioned that having the prime minister announce the brand new monarch was a gesture that underscored the significance of the nation’s democracy.
“It implies that now we have a monarchy the place the monarchy doesn’t have any political energy,” Mr. Hovbakke Sorensen mentioned.
He mentioned that no crown had been laid on the pinnacle of a Danish sovereign since 1660, when the monarchy turned hereditary. Earlier than then, the king was elected, and a member of the aristocracy topped him.
Queen Mary can also be vastly fashionable in Denmark, admired for her sense of private fashion and her dedication to sustainability and girls’s rights. The couple met at a bar in Sydney through the 2000 Olympics in what turned often called a fairy-tale encounter.
(Years later in Australia, Frederik was quickly turned away from a bar for an absence of ID.)
In her proclamation, Ms. Frederiksen thanked Queen Margrethe for binding “us to the previous and getting ready us for the long run,” and referred to as Frederik “a king we all know, a king we love and a king we belief.”
The royal couple’s youngsters, Prince Christian, 18, Princess Isabella, 16, and Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, 13-year-old twins, additionally appeared on the balcony.
Anne-Grete Krag, 76, a retired lawyer, got here to participate within the festivities close to the palace together with her husband, Jens Krag, a retired monetary govt who can also be 76.
“We have been lucky to see Queen Margrethe on TV, when she was proclaimed,” mentioned Ms. Krag. Frederik “will probably be a distinct king,” she mentioned. “He doesn’t have the identical cultural pursuits because the queen.”
“He will probably be a king of his technology,” mentioned Mr. Krag.
Queen Margrethe, identified for her paintings, her chain smoking and her charisma, had beforehand mentioned that she would “keep on the throne till I drop,” however she mentioned {that a} current again surgical procedure had made her think about handing over duty.
In 2022, she stripped 4 grandchildren of royal titles to free them of the duties that may include their roles. The choice upset relations, main her to challenge an apology. On Sunday, Frederik’s brother, Prince Joachim was additionally current.
Mr. Hovbakke Sorensen mentioned that subsequent week, King Frederik would attend a Mass in Aarhus, Denmark’s second largest metropolis, to point out the nation that he cares for the entire nation, and never solely the capital metropolis.
