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Abdication of Queen Margrethe II

WATCH: Queen Margrethe announces her abdication in New Year’s speech

The Queen of Denmark surprised the world on New Year’s Eve 2023 when she announced her plans to abdicate.

Margrethe II, who had said in past interviews that she wouldn’t give up the throne and would reign until her death, told Denmark she is stepping aside on January 14th 2024 in favour of her elder son, Frederik, as ”the time is right”.

The news shocked Denmark with the country’s Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, noting that many in the country had never known another monarch.

The surprise announcement came at the end of a powerful New Year’s speech – watch the whole historic broadcast below.

Margrethe II became Queen of Denmark on January 14th 1972 on the death of her father, Frederik IX. Her reign will end exactly 52 years later and the throne will pass to Frederik X.

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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.