Denmark: “For once, the succession to the throne will not be associated with the death of a sovereign”

In Rome for the end of year celebrations, Amalie, a 23-year-old Dane, carefully watched Queen Margrethe II's speech on her phone. Even on vacation, she “never” misses this speech. “It’s a great tradition in Denmark. Everyone watches it at 6 p.m. on New Year’s Eve,” explains the design and business student in Copenhagen. But this year, the sovereign's speech took a completely different turn. The one who had reigned for 52 years announced that she was abdicating to give her place to her son, Frederik. “I was very surprised, no one expected it,” says Amalie.

Margrethe II ascended the throne on January 14, 1972, after the death of her father Frederik IX. She thus became the first woman to reign “in her own right”, underlines Frédérique Harry, lecturer in Nordic studies at Sorbonne University. Her grandmother, Margrethe I, had only reigned as regent from 1387 to 1412. It was therefore 52 years later to the day that Margrethe II bequeathed the throne to Frederik X, aged 55, this Sunday, January 14, 2024.

A historic event which should bring together a hundred thousand Danes, including Amalie, in the streets of Copenhagen. The majority of hotels in the capital have been fully booked for several days. “We cannot predict how many people will be in Copenhagen on Sunday, but we expect that a very large number of people will be there,” Peter Dahl, the head of the emergency services of the Copenhagen police, declared on Tuesday January 9 in a press release, relayed by the Danish daily Dagbladet Information.

Alberte, another 23-year-old Dane, was also surprised by the queen's abdication because she “had initially expressed her intention to remain on the throne until her death”. But the law student recognizes that “the heavy surgery” she underwent last March was a precursor. Margrethe II had undergone a back operation and also mentioned it in her speech in December: “The operation (...) gave rise to reflections on the future, the question of whether it was time to transfer responsibilities to the generation.”

Polls carried out in the wake of her abdication reveal that 80% of Danes support the queen's decision. For Amalie and Alberte it’s even “a good thing”. Because this time, the succession to the throne will not be associated with the “death of a sovereign”. Especially since Queen Margrethe “will retain her title of majesty” and will always be able to represent the crown during official ceremonies, recalls Frédérique Harry. In Denmark, the role of the sovereign is mainly representative and symbolic. “He signs the laws but it remains a gesture more than a real decision,” indicates the expert.

For the Danish historian Bo Lidegaard, the abdication is even proof of modernity. “The Queen is aware that she is physically weakened. And her son is ready and in a better position than her to take over the family business,” he told AFP. Frédérique Harry speaks, for her part, of a “wise decision” respected by the Danes who believe “that it fulfilled its mission”.

Also readDid Queen Margrethe of Denmark abdicate to save the marriage of her son, Prince Frederik?

The Danes today salute the “intelligence” and “oratorical qualities” of the queen. “She is a thoughtful woman who manages to say what she thinks in a way that inspires respect,” says Marianne, a 72-year-old retiree who lives in Odense, Denmark's 4th city, west of Copenhagen. Amalie appreciates her cultural commitment. “For example, she translated Simone de Beauvoir under a pseudonym and illustrated works by Tolkien,” explains Frédérique Harry. Some of her personal paintings were even exhibited at the Henri-Martin museum in Cahors, in the Lot, on July 15, 2022. “Her extraordinary personality is also reflected through her particular clothing style”, very colorful, continues the researcher.

Danish royalty is much less extravagant than the British monarchy. This Sunday's ceremony bears witness to this: at 2 p.m., the queen will sign the document confirming her abdication during a Council of State. At 3 p.m., Frederik X will greet the crowd on the balcony of Christiansborg Castle. Then, at 5 p.m., the flags will be transferred from the Christian IX Palace where Margrethe II resides to the Frederik VIII Palace in Amalienborg, where Frederik X and his wife live. “These are harmless acts. There are no big festivities, comments Frédérique Harry. This sobriety contributes to the image of proximity that the royal family maintains.”

So, what do the Danes think of their new King Frederik X? His young age for accession to the throne is well regarded by the population. “King Charles II is already too old,” laughs Marianne with a note of pride in her voice. His training and different experiences also contribute to his popularity. “He was trained as a major general in the air force and he is an intellectual man who speaks four different languages,” congratulates Amalie.

Also read: Could the abdication of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark be an example for Charles III?

Alberte, for her part, enjoys her charitable actions such as her participation, each year, in the “Royal Run”, a very popular race in Denmark. The 23-year-old student also remembers the time “Frederik took to the stage at the world-famous Roskilde festival. Like the queen, he too “seems to be a man of the people,” she slips.