Queen Margrethe II has served as Denmark's longest-running monarch.
Queen Margrethe of Denmark kicked off 2024 with a royal surprise!
During her official New Year's Eve address on Sunday, Denmark's longest-reigning royal announced that she will officially abdicate the throne on Jan. 14, -- 52-years after she took the throne.
Her majesty's oldest son, Crown Prince Frederik and his wife, Crown Princess Mary, will assume their roles as the King and Queen of Denmark.
"I have decided that now is the right time. On 14 January 2024, 52 years after I succeeded my beloved father, I will step down as Queen of Denmark. I leave the throne to my son Crown Prince Frederik," the Queen shared what will now be her final New Year's Eve address to the Danish public.
The 83-year-old royal noted in her address that her continued health struggles and increased "aliments" will no longer allow her to serve the way she has over the last five decades.
"In February this year I underwent extensive back surgery. Everything went well, thanks to the competent health personnel, who took care of me. Inevitably, the operation gave cause to thoughts about the future -- whether now would be an appropriate time to pass on the responsibility to the next generation. I have decided that now is the right time," she said in the speech.
The Queen ended her speech by thanking her many supporters and the changing governments and parliament. Margrethe also encouraged the public to offer the same support to her so and his wife as they assume their new roles.
"The support and assistance which I have received throughout the years, have been crucial to the success of my task. It is my hope that the new King and Queen will be met with the same trust and devotion which have fallen to my lot. They deserve it! Denmark deserves it!”
Following her shocking announcement, Margrethe was joined by Frederik, Mary, her son, Prince Joachim and his wife, Princess Marie at Amalienborg Castle for the New Year's banquet.
Frederik and Mary are parents of Prince Christian, 18, Princess Isabella, 16, and 12-year-old twins, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine. Following his father's promotion to king, Christian -- who is the heir -- will become Crown Prince Christian.
Queen Margrethe's decision to abdicate is the first time it has been done in over 500 years. Margrethe took on the role as queen in 1972, at the age of 31, following the sudden death of her father, King Frederik IX.
Margrethe was married to Prince Henrik of Denmark, who died in 2018. Together, the pair are parents of Crown Prince Frederick and Prince Joachim.
The news of Margrethe's abdication comes a year after she stripped Prince Joachim's children of their "prince" and "princess" titles.
Joachim shares Nikolai, 24, and Felix, 21, with his ex-wife, Alexandria, Countess of Frederiksborg. He is also dad to Henrik, 14, and Athena, 11, with his current wife, Princess Marie, whom he married in 2008.
When asked about her decision, the monarch said that the choice will allow Joachim's children to shape their own lives.
"It is a consideration I have had for quite a long time and I think it will be good for them in their future," she said (via Hello!). "That is the reason."
RELATED CONTENT:
