Queen Margrethe II’s surprise abdication means that the 83-year-old monarch will hand the torch to her son and his Scottish wife.
The Danish Queen will be succeeded by Crown Prince Frederik and his wife Crown Princess Mary.
On Sunday, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark used her annual New Years Eve address to announce her decision to step down as monarch at the age of 83.
Queen Margrethe II, who is Europe’s longest-reigning monarch, will be succeeded on January 14 – which also happens to be the 52nd anniversary of her coronation.
She took the time to note that her health is the reason for her shock decision.
She said that her back surgery, which took place during the past year, made her feel that it might be “time to pass the responsibility on to the next generation”.
Queen Margrethe II added: “Time is running out and the ailments are increasing.
“One no longer manages the same way as one did before.”
In the altered speech, the Queen gave thanks to her son and Mary for their “crucial” support and assistance over the years and that she hoped they would be awarded the same “trust and affection” as her.
The change of monarch will be formally proclaimed by Mette Frederiksen, the Prime Minister, at Christiansborg Palace.
Mr Frederiksen, who was born five years into Queen Margrethe’s reign, said that it would be difficult for many of her fellow Danes to imagine the country being ruled by anyone else.
Since the news was announced, he said: “Many of us have never known another monarch.
“Queen Margrethe is the epitome of Denmark and throughout the years has added her words and feelings into our identity as a people.”
Crown Prince Frederick’s wife Mary is of Scottish descent but grew up in Tasmania.
The pair, who now share four children, met in 2000 and became engaged just three years later.
The couple met in Sydney and their engagement was most welcomed by the Danish press.
