Queen Margrethe II of Denmark has announced that she will abdicate on January 14 after 52 years on the throne and will be succeeded by her eldest son, Crown Prince Frederik. In her annual New Year’s speech, she revealed that she underwent successful back surgery last February, which led her to contemplate the future and the right time to hand over the responsibilities of the crown to the next generation. The 83-year-old queen is the longest-serving monarch in Europe following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen confirmed the decision and offered a heartfelt thank you to Queen Margrethe II for her lifelong dedication and tireless efforts for the Kingdom. While the monarch's role in Denmark is largely ceremonial, she has been a popular public figure known for her warm manners and unique talents as a linguist and designer. One of the most defining moments of Queen Margrethe II's reign occurred in 1953, when Denmark's constitution was amended to allow women to inherit the throne. She was married in 1967 and ascended the throne in 1972, becoming the first queen of Denmark in over 500 years.

Throughout her reign, Queen Margrethe II has remained a symbol of hope for the Danish people, especially during the times of Nazi occupation and the personal challenges she faced. Her reign will be celebrated and remembered as Crown Prince Frederik prepares to take on the role of King, and his wife Crown Princess Mary will become queen. The Kingdom will have a new regent and a new royal couple to lead them into the future.