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Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II, who has reigned for more than 50 years and is Europe’s longest-serving monarch, said during her traditional New Year’s Eve speech on Danish television that she will abdicate the throne in early 2024.
The 83-year-old queen said she will hand over the crown to her son, Crown Prince Frederik. on January 14, 2024, 52 years to the day she succeeded her father, King Frederik IX, after his death.
Crown Prince Frederik is 55 years old.
“In February this year I underwent extensive back surgery,” she said during her speech. “Everything went well, thanks to the competent health personnel, who took care of me. Inevitably, the operation gave cause to thoughts about the future – whether now would be an appropriate time to pass on the responsibility to the next generation.
“I have decided that now is the right time,” she said.
“On behalf of the entire population, I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Her Majesty the Queen for her lifelong dedication and tireless efforts for the Kingdom,” Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said in a statement on the PM’s website.
Queen Margrethe became Europe’s longest-serving monarch following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022. The UK monarch had been queen for 70 years and 214 days.
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