PHOTOS: Denmark welcomes new King to the throne as Queen abdicates, with pageantry and smiles

Polly ThompsonJan 16, 2024, 11:36 IST

Danish King Frederik X and wife Queen Mary of Denmark on the balcony of Christiansborg Palace.Samir Hussein / Getty

On Saturday, HM King Frederik X began his reign as Denmark's monarch and head of state.
He succeeds his mother, Margrethe II, after her surprise abdication announcement on New Year's Eve.

On Saturday, Denmark proclaimed Crown Prince Frederik, their new king.

His mother, Queen Margrethe II, had announced in a surprise New Year's message that after reigning for 52 years as monarch, she would abdicate the throne.

"I will step down as Queen of Denmark. I will hand over the throne to my son, Crown Prince Frederik," Margrethe said.

Denmark has one of the oldest monarchies in Europe but ceased the practice of coronations over a century ago.

That meant that, compared to Britain's lavish crowning of King Charles last May, the Danish king assumed the throne in a simple ceremony.

At 2 p.m., the Queen signed a declaration of abdication during a cabinet meeting held at Christiansborg Palace in central Copenhagen. With her signature, the crown formally passed to Frederik.

One hour later, Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stepped onto the palace's balcony to publicly proclaim him king to the thousands who had witnessed the historic moment.

The 55-year-old Crown Prince becomes His Majesty King Frederik X and Head of State of Denmark.

Well-wishers with portraits of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark and Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark gathered in Copenhagen.

Supporters of the royal family gathered in Copenhagen.Patrick van Katwijk / Getty

People walk around the decorated streets of Copenhagen on the morning of the proclamation.

People walk under Danish flags in the city center.Sean Gallup / Getty

The Guard Hussar Regiment arrived ahead of the proclamation. The cavalry unit of the Danish Army escorted the royal family on the day.

The Guard Hussar Regiment.Martin Sylvest Andersen / Getty

Queen Margrethe II signs the instrument of abdication during the Council of State at Christiansborg Palace.

Queen Margrethe II and her son Frederik X at the signing of the instrument of abdication at the Christiansborg Palace.Mads Claus Rasmussen/ Ritzau Scanpix/ AFP

After signing, Queen Margrethe II left the seat at the head of the table to her son, King Frederik X.

After signing the declaration of abdication, Queen Margrethe II left the seat at the head of the table to her son King Frederik X.Mads Claus Rasmussen/ Ritzau Scanpix/ AFP

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark returns to Amalienborg, the residence of the Danish royal family, by car. She had arrived in a carriage.

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark (L). Martin Sylvest Andersen / Getty

King Frederik X and Queen Mary rode in a carriage escorted by the Guard Hussar Regiment's Mounted Squadron from Christiansborg Palace to Amalienborg.

King Frederik X of Denmark reacts to crowds as he rides in a carriage.JONATHAN NACKSTRAND / Getty

The new Queen Mary returns with her husband to the royal residence in a carriage.

King Frederik X and Queen Mary of Denmark arrive at Amalienborg after being proclaimed as King and Queen Denmark.Martin Sylvest Andersen / Getty

Prime Minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen, proclaims the succession to crowds gathered at Christiansborg Palace Square.

Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen.Samir Hussein / Getty

The new king and queen share a kiss in front of crowds on the balcony of Christiansborg Palace.

King Frederik and Queen Mary kiss on the balcony of Christiansborg Palace shortly after his proclamation.Sean Gallup / Getty

The King and Queen of Denmark, with their children (from left) Princess Isabella, Crown Prince Christian, and twins Princess Josephine and Prince Vincent.

King Frederik X and Queen Mary wave to the crowd from the balcony of Christiansborg Palace with their children.Samir Hussein/WireImage/Getty Images

The royal family wave to crowds gathered in the square.

The royal balcony.Samir Hussein / Getty

More than 100,000 Danes turned out for the event.

King Frederik X of Denmark and Queen Mary of Denmark (R) wave to the crowd from the balcony of Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen, Denmark.MADS CLAUS RASMUSSEN / Getty

Princess Josephine waves to the crowds as she and her siblings, Prince Vincent, Princess Isabella, and Crown Prince Christian, return to their residence following the proclamation.

Princess Josephine waves to crowds.Martin Sylvest Andersen / Getty

Princess Josephine waves to the crowds as she and her siblings, Prince Vincent, Princess Isabella, and Crown Prince Christian, return to their residence following the proclamation.

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PHOTOS: Denmark welcomes new King to the throne as Queen abdicates, with pageantry and smiles

Well-wishers with portraits of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark and Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark gathered in Copenhagen.

People walk around the decorated streets of Copenhagen on the morning of the proclamation.

The Guard Hussar Regiment arrived ahead of the proclamation. The cavalry unit of the Danish Army escorted the royal family on the day.

Queen Margrethe II signs the instrument of abdication during the Council of State at Christiansborg Palace.

After signing, Queen Margrethe II left the seat at the head of the table to her son, King Frederik X.

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark returns to Amalienborg, the residence of the Danish royal family, by car. She had arrived in a carriage.

King Frederik X and Queen Mary rode in a carriage escorted by the Guard Hussar Regiment's Mounted Squadron from Christiansborg Palace to Amalienborg.

The new Queen Mary returns with her husband to the royal residence in a carriage.

Prime Minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen, proclaims the succession to crowds gathered at Christiansborg Palace Square.

The new king and queen share a kiss in front of crowds on the balcony of Christiansborg Palace.

The King and Queen of Denmark, with their children (from left) Princess Isabella, Crown Prince Christian, and twins Princess Josephine and Prince Vincent.

The royal family wave to crowds gathered in the square.

More than 100,000 Danes turned out for the event.

Princess Josephine waves to the crowds as she and her siblings, Prince Vincent, Princess Isabella, and Crown Prince Christian, return to their residence following the proclamation.