Europe Longest Serving Monarch Steps Down in Rare Abdication

Queen Margrethe, currently holding the record as Europe’s longest-reigning monarch, has completed her last New Year celebrations before her impending abdication later this month. Riding through Denmark’s capital in a majestic, horse-drawn coach, thousands of supporters braved freezing temperatures to cheer along the route.

The 83-year-old monarch, set to step down on 14 January after 52 years on the throne, will pass the reigns to her oldest son, Crown Prince Frederik, marking the first such resignation in Europe’s oldest ruling monarchy in almost 900 years. The historic moment took place during the traditional New Year’s celebrations, with Queen Margrethe riding in the Gold Coach, pulled by six white horses, from Amalienborg Palace to Christiansborg Palace.

Danish Queen Margrethe II announces abdication https://t.co/3UPzYFyA8D pic.twitter.com/G7ABOtBB1M

— euronews (@euronews) December 31, 2023

Clad in a fur coat and white gloves, the queen traveled in the closed 19th-century coach adorned with 24-karat gold leaf and crowned with four gilded crowns. Accompanied by members of the Hussar Regiment in distinctive blue uniforms with red jackets, the spectacle drew cheers despite challenging weather conditions.

Earlier in the week, Queen Margrethe engaged in a series of events to greet the Danish government, parliament, top civilian and military officials, and foreign diplomats at Christiansborg Palace. The historic location, housing both official royal events and Denmark’s key political institutions, will witness the queen’s formal abdication on 14 January during a state council meeting.

Her decision to step down, announced in her New Year televised address on 31 December, came after back surgery in early 2023 prompted reflections on the future and the transfer of crown responsibilities to her son. Although Denmark lacks a tradition of royal abdication, Queen Margrethe’s decision reflects a significant shift in the monarchy’s trajectory. Having ascended the throne in 1972 when only 42% of Danes supported the monarchy, she leaves with an impressive 84% approval rating, underlining her enduring popularity.

In her annual New Year televised address on 31 December, Margrethe said back surgery in early 2023 led to “thoughts about the future” and when to pass on the responsibilities of the crown to her son.

“I have decided that now is the right time,” she said.

When she ascended the throne in 1972 after her late father, King Frederik IX, only 42% of Danes supported the monarchy. She has been very popular; the most recent survey shows that 84% of Danes favour it to a high or some degree.