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In a shock New Yr’s Eve announcement, Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II stated she plans to abdicate her throne greater than 5 many years after succeeding her father King Frederik IX.
“I’ve determined that now could be the fitting time. On 14th January, 2024 — 52 years after I succeeded my beloved father — I’ll step down as Queen of Denmark,” she stated in her annual speech to her nation.
The 83-year-old monarch stated she’s going to hand the throne over to her son, 55-year-old Crown Prince Frederik.
The announcement got here close to the tip of the queen’s speech. She concluded the handle providing thanks for the “overwhelming heat and assist which I’ve obtained throughout all these years.”
“Thanks to the altering governments with whom the collaboration at all times has been rewarding, and thanks to The Parliament, who’ve at all times vested their confidence in me,” Queen Margrethe stated. “Thanks to the numerous, many individuals who on particular events and in on a regular basis life have embraced me and my household with variety phrases and ideas, turning the years right into a string of pearls.”
She stated a collection of latest “illnesses,” together with intensive again surgical procedure in February, prompted her resolution to step down.
“In two weeks time, I’ve been Queen of Denmark for 52 years. Such an quantity will depart its mark on anyone – additionally on me! The time takes its toll, and the variety of ‘illnesses’ will increase. One can’t undertake as a lot as one managed up to now,” she stated.
In her speech, the queen famous the “horrible terrorist assault on civilians in Israel,” calling it “incomprehensible.”
“The struggle makes antisemitism unfold once more. It’s tragic and shameful,” she stated. “Tonight, I want to make a transparent and unequivocal name for all of us in Denmark to deal with one another with respect. We should strategy one another extra carefully, not distance ourselves from one another. We should keep in mind that we’re all human beings. This is applicable to Jews in addition to Palestinians.”
She additionally used her ultimate New Yr’s Eve speech to deal with local weather change, saying, “The seriousness is apparent.”
“The globe’s local weather is altering quicker than we thought,” the queen stated. “We have to handle local weather change. The implications should not solely sooner or later. They’re right here already, and they’re excessive. Most individuals in Denmark are totally conscious of this, even when it has been tough for a few of us to totally understand it. Collectively we should now discover the hope and dedication to do one thing.”
As standard, she signed off her New Yr’s speech, saying, “God bless Denmark. God bless you all.”
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen issued an announcement thanking the queen for her “lifelong dedication and tireless efforts for the Kingdom.”
“Queen Margrethe is the epitome of Denmark and all through the years has put phrases and emotions into who we’re as a folks and as a nation,” Frederiksen stated.
Throughout her reign, Queen Margrethe, whose position has largely been ceremonial, has been a preferred public determine in Denmark in addition to in Greenland and the Faeroe Islands, semi-independent territories that comprise the Danish Realm.
She garnered reward from her royal topics starting as a princess when she joined the Danish ladies’s air power unit. Her recognition reached new heights in 2011 when she visited Danish troops in southern Afghanistan sporting a army jumpsuit.
“Within the new yr, Crown Prince Frederik will likely be proclaimed king. Crown Princess Mary will turn out to be queen,” Frederiksen stated, referring to the prince’s spouse of 19 years. “The dominion could have a brand new regent and a brand new royal couple. We are able to sit up for all of this within the information that they’re prepared for the accountability and the duty.”
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