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Denmark’s King Frederik X acceded to the throne on Sunday, ushering in a brand new period after his mom Queen Margrethe abdicated, with greater than 100,000 Danes turning out for the unprecedented occasion.
After a ultimate horse-drawn carriage procession via the streets of Copenhagen, the massively widespread 83-year-old queen signed a declaration of abdication at Christiansborg Palace, ending her 52-year reign and mechanically making her son monarch.
She then left the Council of State, additionally attended by the federal government, the brand new king, his spouse and their 18-year-old eldest son, the brand new Crown Prince Christian.
Margrethe left the room with tears in her eyes, saying: “God bless the king.”
In entrance of a sea of Danes braving the winter chill and waving red-and-white flags, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen then proclaimed 55-year-old Frederik the brand new king on the balcony of Christiansborg Palace, the seat of parliament and authorities.
A visibly moved Frederik, clad in his gala admiral’s uniform with gold epaulettes and blue sash, blinked again tears and smiled as he waved to the group, estimated at greater than 100,000 folks by media retailers.
Like his mom, Frederik is massively widespread, having fun with the help of greater than 80 % of Danes.
“My mom succeeded like few others in changing into one together with her nation,” he advised the group.
“My hope is to turn into a unifying king for the long run… It is a accountability I assume with respect, satisfaction and a whole lot of happiness,” he stated, repeatedly putting his hand on his coronary heart as the group cheered.
“I feel he’ll be a fantastic king. I am wanting ahead to seeing how he’ll do it and see him present extra of himself,” Rene Jensen, a Copenhagen resident fitted out for the day in a crimson velvet gown and crown, advised AFP.
Frederik was then joined on the balcony by his Australian-born spouse Mary, sporting a white costume together with her darkish hair swept again in a bun, and their 4 teenage kids.
Mary is the primary commoner to turn into queen in Denmark.
The group erupted in loud cheers as the brand new king and queen kissed on the balcony.
The royal commonplace was then raised on the couple’s residence on the Amalienborg Palace.
– ‘Soul of the nation’ –
In step with Danish custom, no overseas dignitaries or royals have been invited on Sunday, and there was no coronation or throne.
Britain’s King Charles congratulated Frederik and Mary on their accession in a message posted on the Danish court docket’s Instagram account, whereas Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf thanked Queen Margrethe, whom he known as “cousin Daisy”, for his or her “good cooperation” over time.
That is solely the second time a Danish sovereign has stepped down — the final was Erik III, virtually 9 centuries in the past in 1146.
Portraits and banners across the capital thanked the queen for her years of service, with cheeky indicators within the metro declaring “Thanks for the Journey, Margrethe”.
Others learn “Lengthy Dwell the King”.
Margrethe selected to abdicate precisely 52 years to the day after she took over from her father, Frederik IX.
The queen surprised Danes when she introduced her abdication in her annual televised New 12 months’s Eve deal with, after having repeatedly insisted she would comply with custom and reign till her dying.
Even her family was solely knowledgeable three days prior.
She attributed her resolution to well being points after present process main again surgical procedure final 12 months.
Aske Julius, a 27-year-old Copenhagen resident, known as Margrethe “the embodiment of Denmark… the soul of the nation.”
“Greater than half of the Danish inhabitants has by no means identified the rest however the queen,” he stated.
Margrethe will retain her title of queen.
– ‘Totally different’ monarch –
Specialists say her resolution to move the baton now will give Frederik time to flourish in his function as monarch.
He’s anticipated to convey his personal, extra casual model to the monarchy, which dates again to the tenth century Viking period.
“He looks like one in every of us … He tries to be loads like regular folks,” onlooker Berit Nissen advised AFP on Sunday.
“They raised their kids like regular households do,” she stated, referring to the couple’s resolution to ship their youngsters primarily to state colleges.
Whereas his mom is understood for her love of the humanities and is an completed author and artist, Frederik is an avid sportsman who champions environmental causes.
In Denmark the monarch’s function is essentially ceremonial, however the sovereign does signal laws, formally presides over the forming of a authorities and meets with the cupboard recurrently.
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