Frederik X has been hailed as the new King of Denmark after Queen Margrethe II signed her abdication on Sunday – following her record-breaking reign.
The 55-year-old ruler took to the balcony of Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen after succeeding his mother and waved to the crowds of around 100,000 people gathered.
He was joined by his wife, Queen Mary, and their children Christian, 18, who is heir to the throne, Princess Isabelle, 16, and twins Princess Josephine and Prince Vincent, 13.
Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen was also in attendance and she paid tribute to his mother, who had been on the throne for 52 years.
In his first speech, King Frederik said: “My hope is to become a unifying king of tomorrow. It is a task I have approached all my life. It is a task I take on with pride, respect, and joy.”
The monarch’s regal future is in contrast to the rebellion of his past – that includes sightings of him raving at Burning Man festival and gaining a reputation for partying. His reported liberal views have earned him comparisons to Prince Harry but he is more like William for his passionate support from the terraces of the country’s national football team.
While his reputation might be outlandish by British standards, the Danes have become used to his mother, who defied convention by shopping in a supermarket, smoking cigarettes, and eating fast food in public.
Why did Queen Margrethe abdicate?
Queen Margrethe II announced her surprise abdication in a new year TV address.
She took the Crown in 1972 after the death of her father King Frederik IX and said back in 2012 that she would remain on the throne until she falls off.
While that did not happen, she said on New Year’s Eve that time had taken its toll on her 83-year-old body and that she could not complete her duties to the same extent.
The announcement was preceded by back surgery she underwent in 2023.
"The surgery naturally gave rise to thinking about the future – whether the time had come to leave the responsibility to the next generation," she said.
"I have decided that now is the right time.”
It meant that she became the first Dane to relinquish the throne in 900 years.
What will Queen Margrethe now be called?
Confusingly, there are now two queens in Denmark although neither is the ruler.
Margrethe II will continue to be known as HM Queen Margrethe and will continue to be known as Her Majesty.
Crown Princess Mary, Frederik’s wife, will now be called Queen Mary. Their eldest son will be called Crown Prince Christian.
