More than 100,000 Danes attended the historic ceremony on Sunday, when King Frederik X of Denmark took the throne following the abdication of his mother, Queen Margrethe.
The very beloved 83-year-old queen signed a statement of abdication at Christiansborg Palace, ending her 52-year reign and immediately establishing her son as the next monarch, following a farewell horse-drawn carriage procession through the streets of Copenhagen.
Afterwards, she departed from the Council of State, which was also attended by the administration, the newly appointed Crown Prince Christian, his wife, and their eighteen-year-old eldest son.
Margrethe left the room with tears in her eyes, saying: “God bless the king.”
In front of a sea of Danes braving the winter chill and waving red-and-white flags, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen then proclaimed 55-year-old Frederik the new king on the balcony of Christiansborg Palace, the seat of parliament and government.
A clearly moved Frederik waved to the throng, which media reports said numbered over 100,000, while wearing his glamorous admiral’s uniform with gold épaulettes and a blue sash. He blinked back tears and grinned.
Like his mother, Frederik is incredibly well-liked and has the backing of over 80% of Danes.
