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Princess Mary to become Denmark's Queen after surprise abdication of Queen Margrethe
The abdication of 'the coolest Queen in the world' came as a shock to many fans.
Australia's Princess Mary is set to become Queen of Denmark, after Queen Margrethe announced on New Year's Eve that she plans to hand over the throne to Crown Prince Frederik.
Queen Margrethe II is Europe's longest-reigning living monarch and her decision came as a surprise to many after her 52-year reign.
"I have decided that now is the right time," the Queen, 83, announced in her New Year's speech.
"The 14th of January 2024, 52 years after I followed my beloved father, I will step back as the Queen of Denmark. I leave the throne to my son the Crown Prince Frederik."
Queen Margrethe, who was 31 when she became Queen after the death of her father, said the back surgery she underwent in early 2023 led to "thoughts about the future".
“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.
'Epitome of Denmark'
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen paid tribute to her in a statement, saying she is the "epitome of Denmark", thanking her for her "lifelong dedication and tireless efforts for the Kingdom."
“In the new year, Crown Prince Frederik will be proclaimed king. Crown Princess Mary will become queen. The kingdom will have a new regent and a new royal couple,” the Prime Minister said in his statement. “We can look forward to all of this in the knowledge that they are ready for the responsibility and the task.”
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On Instagram, fans paid tribute to Queen Margrethe's reign.
"The coolest queen in the world!" one person commented.
"I think it's the first time I've cried at a New Year's speech," another said, with another fan agreeing. "We are the ones who thank you for 52 years of faith and great service," they said. "Huge respect from here. And phew, there were tears rolling."
Princess Mary, who hails from Tasmania, met Crown Prince Frederik at a Sydney pub 23 years ago during the Sydney Olympics, and had no idea who he was.
”The first time we met we shook hands. I didn’t know he was the Prince of Denmark. Half an hour later someone came up to me and said, ‘Do you know who these people are?’,” she said in a 2015 interview.
They navigated a long-distance relationship before Mary moved to Denmark, with the couple marrying in 2004 and going on to welcome four children: Prince Christian, Princess Isabella, and twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine.
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