Denmark's Queen Margrethe II , Announces the End of Her Long Reign.<br />On December 31, Queen Margrethe <br />of Denmark announced that she would <br />abdicate her throne after 52 years. .<br />Associated Press reports that the queen<br />stepping down will hand power over to <br />her son, Crown Prince Frederik.<br />Associated Press reports that the queen<br />stepping down will hand power over to <br />her son, Crown Prince Frederik.<br />Margrethe, Europe's longest-reigning living monarch, <br />said in her New Year's speech that she would abdicate on <br />January 14, the anniversary of her accession to the throne. .<br />Margrethe, Europe's longest-reigning living monarch, <br />said in her New Year's speech that she would abdicate on <br />January 14, the anniversary of her accession to the throne. .<br />The queen took the throne at <br />the age of 31 after the death <br />of her father, King Frederik IX. .<br />According to Margrethe, a back surgery <br />that she underwent earlier in 2023 led to , “thoughts about the future.”.<br />Those thoughts revolved around <br />the future of Denmark, including <br />passing the crown over to her son. .<br />In response to the queen's announcement, <br />Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen offered a, “heartfelt thank you to Her Majesty the Queen for her <br />lifelong dedication and tireless efforts for the Kingdom.” .<br />In response to the queen's announcement, <br />Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen offered a, “heartfelt thank you to Her Majesty the Queen for her <br />lifelong dedication and tireless efforts for the Kingdom.” .<br />In the new year, Crown Prince <br />Frederik will be proclaimed king. <br />Crown Princess Mary will become <br />queen. The kingdom will have a <br />new regent and a new royal couple. , Mette Frederiksen, Danish Prime Minister, via NPR.<br />In the new year, Crown Prince <br />Frederik will be proclaimed king. <br />Crown Princess Mary will become <br />queen. The kingdom will have a <br />new regent and a new royal couple. , Mette Frederiksen, Danish Prime Minister, via NPR.<br />We can look forward to <br />all of this in the knowledge <br />that they are ready for the <br />responsibility and the task, Mette Frederiksen, Danish Prime Minister, via NPR.<br />Crown Prince Frederik André Henrik Christian <br />has been the heir to the Danish throne <br />since his birth on May 26, 1968
