Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen proclaimed Frederik X as king after Queen Margrethe II formally signed her abdication, making her the first Danish monarch to voluntarily relinquish the throne in nearly 900 years, Associated Press reports.
The abdication was signed at Christiansborg Palace, and Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen proclaimed Frederik king from the palace balcony. Thousands gathered outside the palace in Copenhagen to celebrate the historic royal succession, where the new king expressed his hope to be a unifying leader.
Margrethe, 83, announced her abdication on New Year’s Eve due to health issues, the abdication leaves Denmark with two queens, as Margrethe retains her title. Frederik’s Australian-born wife becomes Queen Mary, and their son Christian, 18, is the new crown prince.
