When Queen Margrethe hands over the mission to Crown Prince Frederik, a public celebration is expected in Denmark.
The new royal couple could hardly be more prepared for their roles, experts believe.
During her New Year’s speech, Denmark’s Queen Margrethe announced that she will abdicate on January 14 and hand over responsibility to Crown Prince Frederik and his Australian wife Mary.
According to historian and court expert Sebastian Olden-Jørgensen at the University of Copenhagen, the new royal couple is well equipped for the roles of Denmark’s new king and queen.
– The couple could hardly be more prepared, since the queen has gradually given them more space and more tasks as she herself has become weaker, he says.
Natural role for the crown prince
According to the historian, the crown prince in particular has developed and seems ready for the mission.
– He has had an obvious discomfort for the public with his role as crown prize in the public eye. It is only in recent years that he has found a slightly more natural and relaxed attitude, says Olden-Jørgensen.
The Queen has previously stated on several occasions that she will remain in office until she dies. The decision that she abdicate came as a shock to the Danes. Olden-Jørgensen believes that the decision is due to the queen’s failing health.
– My guess is that she has felt: Right now it works, but soon it won’t work anymore, he says.
Folkfest in Copenhagen
So far, there hasn’t been much information from the Danish court about how January 14 will be celebrated, but court expert Thomas Larsen expects a big public celebration for the queen and the new royal couple.
– I am convinced that we will witness a folk festival in Copenhagen. The scene will be reminiscent of the one the Danes experienced when the queen was proclaimed in 1972 by then Prime Minister Jens Otto Krag, says Thomas Larsen.
Crown Prince Frederik will take over the throne on Sunday 14 January 2024. After a meeting in the Government Council, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen will announce the change of throne at Christiansborg Castle.