King Frederik: Massive turnout for succession with tens of thousands

In a historic moment for Denmark, tens of thousands of people gathered to witness the succession of King Frederik X, who succeeded his mother as the nation's monarch. With tears in his eyes, King Frederik addressed a cheering crowd outside Christiansborg Castle, expressing his hope to become a unifying king for the future. He also praised his mother, who had formally abdicated the throne after reigning for 52 years, making her the first Danish monarch to voluntarily abdicate in over 800 years. Although the event was intended to be low-key, an overwhelming number of people gathered outside the castle to witness the succession ceremony on Sunday. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen proclaimed King Frederik as the King of Denmark, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands, repeating the words "Long live King Frederik the tenth" three times on the palace balcony. In his first speech as king, Frederik expressed his lifelong commitment to becoming a unifying leader for the future, stating that he approached this task with pride, respect, and joy. He also emphasized that his mother would always be remembered as an extraordinary regent. During the celebratory event, King Frederik showed signs of emotion as he observed the crowd, wiping away a tear. He was accompanied on the balcony by his wife, Queen Consort Mary, and their four children, including Crown Prince Christian, who is now the new heir to the throne. The crowd erupted with cheers and applause when King Frederik and Queen Mary shared a kiss. The city streets were lined with crowds bidding farewell to Queen Margarethe, who was the only remaining female sovereign in the world. The 83-year-old queen announced her unprecedented decision to step down during a live televised address on New Year's Eve. She explained that the decision was influenced by a period of reflection following her back surgery earlier in 2023. Queen Margarethe expressed her gratitude to the Danish public for their support throughout her reign. Although she will retain her title as Queen, Queen Margarethe's role will transition to a queen consort, while King Frederik, aged 55, takes the helm as the leader of Europe's oldest monarchy. King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla of Britain sent their best wishes to the new monarch, honoring Queen Margarethe's years of dedicated service to Denmark.