Queen Margrethe of Denmark announced in her New Year’s address that she would be abdicating the throne on January 14th and her son Crown Prince Frederick would take the crown.
Blaming growing older and a recent surgery for her decision, Queen Margrethe has had an outpouring of support for her dedication to her more than 51 year reign.
The announcement has also sparked questions about whether other monarchs should abdicate, including King Charles.
Writing in the Guardian, Simon Jenkins called on the King to follow Denmark’s example.
He said: “Queen Margrethe is the latest European monarch to make way for new blood. It puts our archaic system to shame.”
Express.co.uk put the question to readers, asking whether King Charles should abdicate and let Prince William take the throne, and the results were torn.
In total 5,609 people voted in the poll, with 47 percent voting yes and 51 percent voting no. The remaining two percent opted for ‘Don’t know’.
And commenters were quick to voice their opinions, with some pointing out how long Charles had been waiting to be king.
Commenter Zeehan wrote: “Charles has been in-training since he was a teenager. He would not want to burden William while George, Charlotte and Louis are so young. Charles is doing a fine job, ably supported by Camilla.”
Hayley465 said: “Definitely not, it’s Charles time and he’s the hardworking one so we are better with him”
However others were keen to see a younger king on the throne, with user Lellypoos writing: “It’s a YES from me ! He should have passed it to William in the first place”
And some took the opportunity to call for the monarchy to be dismantled. User 25sammy25 commented: “The sooner Charlie abdicates the better, then abolish royalty. Think of the money the country would save.”
Others argued William has a young family, and may want to spend time watching them grow up before having to take on the strenuous task of being king.
What do you think? Should King Charles abdicate in favour of Prince William? You can still vote in our poll and have your say in the comments.
If you can’t see the poll below, click here.
