Frederik X becomes King of Denmark after historic succession

By Stefan J. Bos

Danish Prime Minister Frederiksen proclaimed 55-year-old Frederik X the new King of Denmark, watched by an enthusiastic crowd. 

Standing next to him on the balcony of Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen, the prime minister turned three ways to show she was proclaiming him the King to the whole of Denmark.

It followed the formal abdication of his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who was on the throne for 52 years.

The queen announced she was stepping down on television on New Year’s Eve.

Frederik’s Australian-born wife, Mary Donaldson, takes on the role of Queen Consort.

The new King paid tribute to his mother, wife, and family before being joined by the new Queen Mary, dressed in white, followed by their four children.

Queen Mary, born in Australia

Australian-born Mary is the first commoner to become queen in Denmark.

Frederik automatically became the new King earlier in the day when his mother signed an abdication declaration in the Council of State. She left the room with tears in her eyes, saying: “God bless the king.”

She had left the nation reeling after announcing her abdication.

Even Prime Minister Frederiksen, a Social Democrat and previously not considered a royalist, has reportedly said the queen’s handling of the role has converted her.

While mainly a ceremonial role, the King is seen by supporters as having an essential uniting role for the nation while facing significant challenges.

These include concerns about immigration and aiming to strengthen defense ties with other Nordic countries to protect critical infrastructure and counter what the country views as the Russian threat both in the Arctic and the Baltic Sea region amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

But those difficulties seemed briefly forgotten as the crowds welcomed their new King Frederik X.