COPENHAGEN, Denmark — Denmark’s prime minister proclaimed Frederik X, 55, king on Sunday after his mother, Queen Margrethe II, officially signed her abdication, with crowds rejoicing at the succession of the throne from the beloved king to his popular son.
Margrethe, 83, is the first Danish monarch to voluntarily abdicate in nearly 900 years.
Thousands of people gathered outside the palace where the royal succession took place, a joyous atmosphere as the Nordic country experienced its first royal succession in more than half a century, and one not due to the death of a monarch.
Dressed in a magenta dress, Margrethe signed her resignation during a meeting with the Danish Cabinet at Christiansborg Palace, a sprawling complex in Copenhagen that houses the Royal Drawing Room and Royal Stables as well as the Danish Parliament, the prime minister’s office and the Supreme Court. .
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen then proclaimed Frederik king from the palace balcony in front of thousands — citizens of a kingdom where the trappings of royalty are mostly symbolic in today’s modern era of constitutional democracy.
Denmark’s Queen Margrethe signs the declaration of abdication in the Council of State at Christiansborg Palace. via REUTERS Queen Margrethe announced her abdication in a New Year’s address. AP
Frederiksen read the proclamation three times, which is tradition, as Frederik stood beside him wearing a military uniform decorated with medals. He was then joined on the balcony by the new Queen Mary and the couple’s four children, and the crowd spontaneously sang the national anthem.
“My hope is to be the unifying king of tomorrow,” said Frederik. “It’s a task I’ve faced all my life.”
“I want to repay the trust I found. I need the trust of my beloved wife, you and the one who is greater than us,” said the new king.
Frederik then kisses Mary and another great cheer goes up from the crowd.
The abdication document was previously presented to Margrethe as she sat at a large table covered in red cloth where royals and members of the Danish government sat. Frederik sat next to him.
After signing it, Margrethe rose and motioned for Frederik to take her place. “God save the king,” he said as he left the room.
The abdication left Denmark with two queens: Margrethe retained her title, while Frederik’s Australian-born wife became Queen Mary. Frederik and Mary’s eldest son, Christian, 18, has become crown prince and heir to the throne.
Christian hands Margrethe his scepter as he departs from his abdication ceremony.
Tens of thousands attended the coronation ceremony. AP Mary and Fredrik’s son Christian are now heirs to the Danish throne. WireImage
Citing health issues, Margrethe announced on New Year’s Eve that she would step down, shocking a country that had expected her to live out her days on the throne, as is tradition in the Danish monarchy. Margrethe underwent major back surgery last February and did not return to work until April.
Even the prime minister was not aware of the queen’s wishes until before the announcement.
Margrethe had informed Frederik and his younger brother Joachim just three days earlier, Berlingske newspaper wrote, citing the royal palace.
People from all over Denmark gathered outside the parliament, with many streets decorated with red-and-white Danish flags.
Several shops hung pictures of Margrethe and Frederik, while city buses were decorated with smaller Danish flags as is customary during royal events.
Many others across the kingdom with nearly 6 million people tuned into the live telecast of the historic event.
The band of the royal guard makes its daily march through downtown Copenhagen, but wears red jackets, instead of the usual black, to mark the big event.
Copenhagen resident Rene Jensen, wearing a replica of the royal robes and an ornate purple crown on his head, said he expected Frederik to be “a king for the country, representing us everywhere.”
The last time a Danish king voluntarily abdicated was in 1146, when King Erik III Lam retreated to enter a monastery. Margrethe abdicated on the same day in January that she ascended the throne following the death of her father, King Frederik IX, on 14 January 1972.
Rene Jensen expects Fredrik to be “a king for the country, representing us everywhere.” Reuters
The Danish monarchy traces its origins to the 10th-century Viking king Gorm the Old, making it the oldest in Europe and one of the oldest in the world. Today the duties of the royal family are largely ceremonial.
Australians also took to the streets of Copenhagen to celebrate one of their own becoming queen.
“I think it’s good that he’s not from royalty and has a normal Australian background. We can relate more to that, because she comes from a middle-class background, and so do we,” said Judy Langtree, who traveled all the way from Brisbane with her daughter to witness the royal event.
A poll – commissioned by Danish public broadcaster DR – published on Friday showed that 79% of 1,037 people polled by polling institute Epinion said they believed Frederik was ready to take over the government and 83% said they thought his wife Mary was ready to be . queen
The poll’s margin of error is 3 percentage points, said DR.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
