COPENHAGEN, Denmark (NEWSnet/AP) — Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II signed her historic abdication on Sunday, a step that made her son Frederik king.
Margrethe, 83, is the first Danish monarch to relinquish the throne voluntarily in nearly 900 years.
Thousands of people gathered Sunday in downtown Copenhagen to witness a historic moment in one of the world's oldest monarchies.
Wearing a magenta outfit, Margrethe signed her abdication during a meeting with Denmark's Cabinet at Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen.
The document was presented to her as she sat at a massive table covered in red cloth around which royals and members of the Danish government were seated.
After signing it, she rose and gestured to her son to take her place, and she said “God save the king” as she left the room.
Margrethe is the first Danish monarch to voluntarily relinquish the throne in nearly 900 years.
On Dec. 31, Margrethe announced her intention to abdicate, city health issues.
In February 2023, Margrethe underwent major back surgery, and did not return to work until April.
A Danish monarch had not resigned voluntarily since 1146, when King Erik III Lam departed to enter a monastery. Margrethe will abdicate on the same date she ascended the throne following the death of her father, King Frederik IX.
The nation's monarchy traces its origins to 10th-century Viking king Gorm the Old, making it the oldest in Europe and one of the longest-running in the world. Today, the royal family’s duties are largely ceremonial.
Abdication will leave Denmark with two queens. Margrethe will keep her title and Frederik’s Australian-born wife will become Queen Mary. Frederik and Mary’s eldest son Christian, 18, will become crown prince and heir to the throne.
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