A new monarch has been crowned in Denmark: Frederik X has formally assumed the throne. A solemn ceremony marked the official abdication of the monarchy by his mother, Queen Margrethe II. Before that, she declared her intention to resign during her address to the nation in the New Year.
Following the death of Elizabeth II at the age of 83, Margrethe II ascended to the throne and ruled for 52 years. Her absence is for health-related reasons, as she underwent spine surgery last year, which negatively impacted her condition. The Danish Queen concluded the time had come to delegate the burden to the succeeding generation.
The transfer of regal authority was formalised on January 14. Journeying from her abode at Amalienborg to Christiansborg Palace in a carriage, greeted by thousands of Danes, the queen delivered greetings. She affixed her signature to the abdication at the State Council and proclaimed, “God save the king!”
Harvard-Educated Marathoner Who Doesn’t Want to Be Confined in a Crystal Citadel
Frederik X, age 55, is the reigning monarch of Denmark. Following the queen’s abdication, he, his wife Mary, and their eldest son Christian hosted a solemn reception. Before that, they greeted the subjects from the veranda of the palace. Frederik was overcome with incontinence as he witnessed this poignant moment. In contrast to the protracted coronation ceremonies observed in Britain, no such magnificence was intended. The balcony appearance supplanted it.
Frederik is a political scientist by education. Besides attending school in Denmark, he also attended Harvard. He has held positions in the Danish Air Force, Navy, and Army, all three branches of the Danish Armed Forces.
The monarch enjoys experiencing adrenaline. He engaged in numerous marathons and triathlons and, for instance, participated in a four-month ski expedition across Greenland. He was hospitalised as a result of his excessively strenuous activities involving sledges and motorcycles. Frederik has stated that he “wants to be himself” and does not wish to be confined in a crystal citadel.
From Humble Pub Buddies to Royalty
Mary, the king’s wife, was born and raised in Tasmania, where she worked as a lawyer. During the Olympic Games in Sydney, she entered a pub and met the man who would become her husband. Mary had no idea that the charming man she was talking to was a royal until her acquaintances enlarged their eyes and told her she had caught a prince before she realised what she was doing.
Historians in the archives have discovered documents about Mary’s ancestors, revealing that they lived in a poor environment. In the middle of the 19th century, one of Mary’s great-great-grandmothers, Marion Horn, lived in a fisherman’s hut on the coast of Scotland. Her husband was killed at sea, and she was forced to live in absolute poverty. According to the official documents, Marion is referred to as a “pauper.”
Because all four of Mary and Frederik’s children are enrolled in regular public schools, they are seen as “bearers of modern ideals.” The two youngest children are identical twins, a boy and a girl.
Love at First Sight and a Royal Fairy Tale: Queen Margrethe II’s Story
At the time of her abdication from the Danish throne, Margrethe II enjoyed the same level of popularity that Elizabeth II did in the United Kingdom. During her childhood, the future ruler of Denmark never anticipated that she would one day come to the throne because the rules of the time did not designate the position for women. Nevertheless, the rule was altered by a national referendum when Margrethe became 13 years old. This was because King Frederik IX did not have any males, but he did have three daughters.
History, archaeology, design, and painting are some of the things that Margrethe II is passionate about. The book “The Lord of the Rings” was even illustrated by her.
Although wearing royal regalia is unquestionably a hardship, the thing that Margrethe was fortunate enough to have was love. She used the phrase “something exploded in the sky” to describe her first encounter with the man who would later become her husband. Henri Marie Jean André, Comte de Laborde de Monpezat, a young French diplomat with a noble name and rank, first encountered the princess in London, where he worked at the embassy. Henri Marie Jean André was a member of Congress. At first glance, it was love at first sight.
The title of Prince Consort Henrik was bestowed to Henri following his marriage. It’s been six years since he passed away.
Romanov Ties: The Enduring Connection Between Danish and Russian Royal Families
Throughout history, the Imperial Romanov dynasty was closely connected to the Danish royal family. It is sufficient to state that Maria Feodorovna, the mother of Nicholas II and the wife of Alexander III, was once a Danish princess named Dagmar. Consequently, the final Russian tsar was the great-grandson of Margrethe II’s great-grandfather and the grandson of King Christian IX of Denmark. He was also the grandson of the last Russian emperor.
Immediately following the revolution, Maria Feodorovna went to Denmark, where she remained till the end of her life.