Queen Margrethe II of Denmark Announces Surprise Abdication on New Year’s Eve

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark has announced that she will abdicate the throne in January. The surprise announcement came during a televised new year address, during which she suggested health complications had led to her decision. The 83-year-old is currently the world’s only reigning queen. Queen Margrethe knew Queen Elizabeth II well and the pair met on numerous occasions. More recently, the Princess of Wales met the Danish royals at the Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen in 2022. The Danish throne will now pass to Margrethe’s son, Crown Prince Frederik. His Australian-born wife, Princess Mary, will become Denmark’s Queen Consort. Margrethe will formally end her reign on January 14, 52 years to the day since she became queen. Follow us for more royal news, history, and highlights: ♛ Subscribe to our brand new show, exclusive to Snapchat - ♛ Sub