The 83-year-old monarch will abdicate the throne in just a fortnight’s time, on January 14, marking exactly 52 years to the day since she became queen.
Her son Frederik’s title will be upgraded from Crown Prince Frederik to Frederik X. The decision has been dubbed as “unexpected”, and will have come as a shock to the nation. Many will have thought she would remain on the throne until her death.
In July, she became the longest-sitting monarch in Denmark’s history.
But the Queen made clear it was her ill health which was part of the reason for giving up her responsibilities. The monarch had undergone extensive back surgery back in February this year.
The operation prevented her from coming to King Charles’s coronation, with her son and his wife taking her place.
In her address on New Years’ Eve, the Queen said: “The surgery naturally gave rise to thinking about the future – whether the time had come to leave the responsibility to the next generation.”
“I have decided that now is the right time. On 14 January 2024 – 52 years after I succeeded my beloved father – I will step down as queen of Denmark.”
