Margrethe II Abdicates Danish Throne after 52-Year Reign

Exactly 52 years after her accession, Queen Margrethe II abdicated the Danish throne in favor of her eldest son, now proclaimed King Frederik X.

In a low-key but well-attended ceremony, the Nordic monarch handed over the throne to her son as she signed the instrument of abdication at Copenhagen's Christiansborg Palace on Sunday (Jan. 14), just as mentioned in her shock New Year's Eve message to the Danish people.

Margrethe: 'God Save the King!'

Danish media captured the retired queen uttering "God save the king" before leaving the room for Amalienborg Palace nearby.

Thousands of Danes and other city visitors descended upon the palace to see Frederik for the first time in a simple proclamation ceremony similar to that of the new king's mother.

"Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II has abdicated. Long live His Majesty King Frederik X!" Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen declared to the crowd at the balcony of the palace three times before leading them to a ninefold hurrah.

Also present in the proclamation ceremony was his Australian-born wife, Queen Mary, and their four children, including their eldest son and heir, Crown Prince Christian.

Frederik was visibly emotional as he was being proclaimed and cheered on. True to the fairy tale fashion of their love story, the new king and queen also shared a kiss to the crowd's delight.

First in Almost 900 Years

According to the Associated Press, Margrethe was only the second Danish monarch to voluntarily relinquish the throne after King Erik III - known in his time as "Erik the Lamb" - did so in 1146, almost 900 years ago. Unlike Margrethe, who had two sons and several grandchildren with her late husband Prince Henrik, Erik had no children despite being married to Lutgard of Salzwedel, who was about 10 years her senior, resulting in a civil war.

Margrethe would keep her title as queen in retirement.

The abdication announcement shocked the Danish public and even Frederiksen, with royal palace sources telling local media that the king and his brother, Prince Joachim, were only informed of Margrethe's intentions just three days prior.

Despite the rise in republican sentiments, the monarchy in Denmark remains a strong institution the Danes are proud of.