2024 revisited: Abdication Danish Queen Margrethe, a big moment for European royalty

On Sunday, January 14, 2024, the last reigning Queen stepped down. She revealed her decision just a few weeks earlier, in a surprising statement during her New Year's speech.

When the British Monarch, Elizabeth, passed away, Margrethe became the last reigning Queen left. She was also the first reigning Queen of her country in 1972.

In the New Year's speech, Queen Margrethe said: “I have decided that now is the right time. On 14 January 2024, 52 years after I succeeded my beloved father, I will step down as Queen of Denmark. I leave the throne to my son, Crown Prince Frederik.”

Margrethe has always enjoyed a very high popularity rating among the Danish population. Observers explain this by her originality, creativity, and the fact that, unlike other monarchies, the Danish crown has been more or less without scandals during its reign.

Margrethe was born on April 16, 1940, in the union between Crown Prince Frederic, who ascended to the throne in 1947, and Princess Ingrid of Sweden, the daughter of the King of Sweden Gustave Adolphe. Through her mother, Margrethe also descends from Queen Victoria of England and Joséphine de Beauharnais, the first wife of Napoleon Bonaparte.

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark can speak from a long experience as a monarch. She celebrated her 50th anniversary in January 2022 (pictured). Her longevity makes her the second-longest ruler in the old history of the country.

Becoming Crown Princess at the age of seven, Margrethe studied archeology in England in the early 1960s and spent a year in Paris where she studied at the Sorbonne.

On June 10, 1967, the Princess married the French nobleman Henri de Laborde de Montpezat. The royal couple had two sons: Crown Prince Frederik, born in 1968, and Prince Joachim, born in 1969.

Her husband, Henri de Laborde de Montpezat, was Prince Consort of Denmark for more than forty years. He suffered in his role, in the shadow of the Queen. Two years before his death in 2018, he retired from official duties and renounced his title of Prince Consort.

Prince Frederik was a well-known international royal at the time of his crowning. He married an Australian commoner named Mary Donaldson. They have both seen a rise in popularity and seem to have a good relationship with the British royals, attending several events together over the years.

The Prince earned a Master of Science degree in political science from Aarhus University and became Crown Prince in 1972. He ascended as His Majesty the King on the 14th of January 2024 upon the abdication of his mother on the 52nd anniversary of her reign.

The Danish prime minister, Mette Frederiksen commented: “The kingdom will have a new monarch and a new royal couple. We can look forward to all of this in the knowledge that they are ready for the responsibility and the task,” according to The Guardian.

Queen Margrethe of Denmark was previously in the news for her surprise decisions. The monarch decided to strip some of her grandchildren of their titles. Prince Nikolai, 23, Prince Felix, 20, Princess Athena, 10, and 13-year-old Prince Henrik are no longer referred to as Their Royal Highnesses.

According to the plan, the children would reach the age of 25 before their titles would be removed. However, the Prince denied knowing anything about the imminent decision until days before Queen Margrethe announced it and it caused a rift in the family.

Margrethe made a public apology. "I have made my decision as Queen, mother, and grandmother," she announced to the press, "but, as a mother and grandmother, I have underestimated the extent to which my younger son and his family feel affected. That makes a big impression, and for that I am sorry.” Will that be revoked by her eldest son?

This charismatic Queen has been loved by many. She is a keen skier, fashion designer, and linguist; a creative whirlwind - making her very popular amongst the Danish people. She even went on visits around the country virtually unescorted, affectionately becoming part of the Danish people.

Now all that is left is to see what the new King Frederik will bring. So far, he's been modest on the international stage. Will that change in 2025?

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