Queen Margaret II of Denmark, 83 years old and since the death of Elizabeth II of England the longest living monarch on the throne, announced this Sunday that she will abdicate on January 14 in favor of Crown Prince Frederick, after 52 years as head of state.
In her traditional televised New Year’s Eve speech, Margarita II, the only woman to head a monarchy, explained that the back operation she underwent last February made her think about the future and “if the time had not come to leave the responsibility to the next generation.
“I have decided that now is the right time. On January 14, 2024, 52 years after succeeding my dear father, I will cease to be Queen of Denmark,” she said.
More than 80% of Danes say they support the monarchy and large crowds celebrated their 50th anniversary jubilee last year.
“Many of us have never known another monarch. Queen Margaret is the very embodiment of Denmark and, over the years, she has put words and feelings into who we are as a people and as a nation,” Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen reacted it’s a statement.
