In Denmark, more is gradually becoming known about the abdication of Queen Margrethe on January 14th
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This afternoon it was officially announced that Queen Margrethe will continue to be called Queen Margrethe after her abdication. Frederick becomes His Majesty King Frederick X (Frederick the Tenth), Mary becomes Her Majesty Queen Mary and Christian becomes His Royal Highness Prince Christian.
Since yesterday, more information about the abdication has also been provided on the website of the Danish royal house. This text, which we quote below, refers to Queen Beatrix, King Willem-Alexander and various abdications in the Netherlands.
When HM the Queen steps down from the Council of State on Sunday 14 January 2024, it will be the first time in almost 900 years that this has happened in Denmark – so it will be an extraordinary and historic event.
The term ‘abdication’ comes from the Latin word ‘abdicare’, which means to renounce something.
The term is traditionally used for the situation in which a sitting regent voluntarily relinquishes his throne or authority.
In some countries it is customary, or at least something that happens, for the head of state to make room for the next generation by resigning – abdicating.
This is the case in the Netherlands, where four of the six regents have resigned since the introduction of the monarchy in 1813.
It last happened in 2013, when then Queen Beatrix handed over the throne to her eldest son, His Majesty King Willem-Alexander, on Queen’s Day on April 30.
Queen Beatrix took over the throne herself after the abdication of her mother Queen Juliana in 1980. There are also recent examples of the resignation of the head of state through abdication in Belgium, Luxembourg and Spain.
In other countries, including Denmark, Norway and Sweden, there is no tradition of abdication.
The last time a Danish regent voluntarily abdicated the throne before his death was in 1146, when King Erik III abdicated – reportedly to enter a monastery.
Although abdication is not common under Danish constitutional law, the Succession Act assumes that abdication can take place, as section 6 of the law stipulates that the other provisions of the law – which are based on the death of the regent – apply , also in the event that the regent abdicates the throne.
More information will follow in the coming weeks. We, Josine and Petra, will also pay extra attention to the clothing of Queen Margrethe and the future Queen Mary in the coming weeks.
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