SUPPORT OUR JOURNALISM: Please consider donating to keep our website running and free for all - thank you!

DONATE NOW
Denmark

Denmark’s day of destiny: Margrethe II to abdicate, Frederik X to take the throne

By
14th January 2024

Queen Margrethe of Denmark will abdicate this afternoon.

The Danish monarch will sign away her throne in a special Council of State meeting at Christiansborg Palace. As soon as her signature is complete, her son will become King Frederik X.

Witnessing this moment of history will be Frederik’s elder son, Christian, who, at the moment of accession, becomes Crown Prince of Denmark.

Waiting outside the council chamber will be Frederik’s wife who will instantly become Queen Mary of Denmark.

Following the abdication, the new King will be proclaimed to the people of Denmark from the balcony of Christiansborg Palace by the country’s Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen.

The timetable for the abdication of Margrethe II and the accession of Frederik X is as follows:

1.35pm Her Majesty The Queen of Denmark leaves Amalienborg Palace by carriage for a procession through Copenhagen to Christiansborg Palace

1.37pm Their Royal Highnesses The Crown Prince and Princess of Denmark leave Amalienborg Palace by car for Christiansborg Palace

2pm The Council of State takes place in Christiansborg Palace. Queen Margrethe sings the Declaration of Abdication. Frederik X becomes king.

2.15pm Queen Margrethe of Denmark leaves Christiansborg Palace

2.30pm His Majesty King Frederik X and Her Majesty Queen Mary of Denmark greet guests at a reception along with their son, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Christian of Denmark.

3pm King Frederik X is proclaimed as monarch from the balcony of Christiansborg Palace by Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen.

5pm The royal standard is transferred from the palace of Margrethe II to the palace of Frederik X.

Share:
About author

Lydia Starbuck is Jubilee and Associate Editor at Royal Central and the main producer and presenter of the Royal Central Podcast and Royal Central Extra. Lydia is also a pen name of June Woolerton who is a journalist and writer with over twenty years experience in TV, radio, print and online. Her latest book, A History of British Royal Jubilees, is out now. Her new book, The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr, will be published in March 2024. June is an award winning reporter, producer and editor. She's appeared on outlets including BBC 5 Live, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Local Radio and has also helped set up a commercial radio station. June is also an accomplished writer with a wide range of material published online and in print. She is the author of two novels, published as e-books. She is also a marriage registrar and ceremony celebrant.