• Queen Margrethe II of Denmark abdicates after 52-year reign, handing over duties to eldest son Crown Prince Frederik, now King Frederik the 10th
• Denmark’s first abdication in nearly 900 years, previous abdication by King Erik in 1146
• Abdication may be due to son’s scandal, as photos of King Frederik X in Spain with Genoveva Casanova spread rumors of an affair
Here is what happened:
Denmark’s aging Queen Margrethe II officially abdicated the throne on January 14, concluding her 52-year reign. The queen handed over her duties to her eldest son, Crown Prince Frederik, who became King Frederik the 10th. Denmark had not seen an abdication in nearly 900 years, with the last event of its kind occurring in 1146 when King Erik relinquished his role to enter a monastery. This historic transition marked a change from tradition, as the succession to the Danish throne usually takes place following the death of a sovereign.
Following the abdication, Crown Prince Frederik became the new sovereign, and his wife took on the title of Queen Mary. Their 18-year-old son, Prince Christian, is now the new Crown Prince and heir to the throne. Next in line is his sister, Princess Isabella, 16, followed by their 13-year-old brother, Prince Vincent, and his twin sister, Princess Josephine.
Queen Margrethe II announced her plans to abdicate in her New Year’s address, stating that she had considered the timing suitable after recovering from back surgery. She expressed gratitude for the support and kindness of her subjects throughout her reign. There is speculation that her decision to abdicate was influenced by reports of her son’s alleged affair, prompting concerns for the stability of his marriage.
In a later segment, it is mentioned that amid the royal family’s drama, Queen Margrethe II set off another wave of controversy when she announced that her son Prince Joachim’s four children with his wife, Princess Marie, would no longer be allowed to use the titles of prince and princess starting in 2023. Despite the royal family’s efforts to navigate these challenges, they are facing growing scrutiny from the public.
