A New Danish King

On 14th January 2024 Queen Margrethe II abdicated as Queen of Denmark, exactly 52 years from her accession to the throne in 1972. The news had been announced during Margrethe’s new year broadcast, and was a surprise, owing to her previous assertion that she would never resign, and that the position of monarch was ‘not a life sentence, but a life of service’. Nevertheless, as her Majesty had endured back surgery last year, and now, at 83 years old had come to the decision to pass the throne on to her son Crown Prince Frederik.

Queen Margrethe was the first female ruler of Denmark, owing to the law of succession having changed when she turned 13. A dedicated student, Margrethe proved to be challenging the gender norms for women of her social class through her schooling, gaining not just one university education, but several from a variety of institutions including Cambridge University and London School of Economics. She can speak 5 languages fluently and used this to her advantage with diplomacy, meeting heads of state from all over the world. The image of monarchy changed with a young Queen – and recent Mother. Alongside her French husband Henrik, Margrethe cultivated a new perception of royalty. Their relax attitude, both were heavy smokers and had no issue with the public seeing this – and opening the royal court to Danes from all walks of life modernised the monarchy and in doing so, made Margrethe very popular.

This practice of an elderly monarch abdicating in place of younger heir has become common place in Europe. In 2013 Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands stepped back from the throne in favour of her son Willem-Alexander and later the same year, King Albert of Belgium abdicated for his son Philippe. The following year King Juan Carlos of Spain announced his choice to abdicate for his son Felipe. This tendency to abdicate in older age had been less common is Nordic nations, however will Queen Margrethe’s decision influence others? It is unlikely to have an impact in Britain, following the coronation of King Charles III in May last year, the likelihood of Charles stepping back for Prince William is minimal, despite maybe some support for this in the public sphere.

The pomp and circumstance of coronations only remain popular in Britain with European monarchs opting for a simplified occasion. In Denmark, it was a proclamation from the Prime Minister and signing some important papers, heralding King Frederik X. Frederik is the eldest of two sons, born in 1968. He was only three years old when his mother became Queen in 1972. A keen sportsman who would enjoy cycling and would even jogging in central Copenhagen, happily interacting with the crowds. This interest led him to be part of the Olympic Committee which raised his profile. One of the most popular aspects of Fred, is his wife Mary. The Aussie Advertising Manager met the future King in a bar in Sydney having no clue who she was speaking to. Their romance captured their two nations and owing to Mary’s dedication to Denmark with learning the language and embracing a new country, she has been loved in return.

It has been two weeks since the proclamation of Frederik X on the balcony at Christiansborg Palace where Fred, Mary and their four children greeted a roaring crowd below. It will be fascinating to see how their reign, after 52 years of Queen Margrethe, influences the country.