mls Posted December 31, 2023 Report Share Posted December 31, 2023 https://www.kongehuset.dk/en/news/read-hm-the-queens-new-year-address-2023 "I have decided that now is the right time. On 14th January, 2024 – 52 years after I succeeded my beloved father – I will step down as Queen of Denmark. I will hand over the throne to my son Crown Prince Frederik. " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mls Posted December 31, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2023 Didn't expect that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Izzieq Posted December 31, 2023 Report Share Posted December 31, 2023 What?!? Was not expecting to hear this this morning. Wow! Good thing I am sitting down and not holding my coffee I would have fallen over and spilled my cup everywhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mls Posted December 31, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2023 "Tonight, I would like to express a very special thank you. Thank you for the warmth and devotion which I and my family have received throughout many, many years. In two weeks time I have been Queen of Denmark for 52 years. Such an amount will leave its mark on anybody – also on me! The time takes its toll, and the number of “ailments” increases. One cannot undertake as much as one managed in the past. In February this year I underwent extensive back surgery. 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. On 14th January, 2024 – 52 years after I succeeded my beloved father – I will step down as Queen of Denmark. I will hand over the throne to my son Crown Prince Frederik. Tonight, I first and foremost would like to express my thanks. Thank you for the overwhelming warmth and support which I have received during all these years. Thank you to the changing governments with whom the collaboration always has been rewarding, and thank you to The Parliament, who have always vested their confidence in me. Thank you to the many, many people who on special occasions and in everyday life have embraced me and my family with kind words and thoughts, turning the years into a string of pearls. The support and assistance which I have received throughout the years, have been crucial to the success of my task. It is my hope that the new King and Queen will be met with the same trust and devotion which have fallen to my lot." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mls Posted December 31, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2023 https://www.kongehuset.dk/en/news/succession-of-the-throne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Izzieq Posted December 31, 2023 Report Share Posted December 31, 2023 Thanks for the translation. It makes sense that something like her surgery and increased mobility issues and health would maybe have given some pause and thinking about the monarchy moving forward. Still quite a surprise. The Danes must be in total shock right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mls Posted December 31, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2023 I'm just wondering if there might be something else going on. With QM, I mean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smt1 Posted December 31, 2023 Report Share Posted December 31, 2023 I'm shocked! Didn't see this coming at all. Didn't she say "...it's a job for life?" I wonder how long before Harald and Carl Gustaf abdicate? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smt1 Posted December 31, 2023 Report Share Posted December 31, 2023 32 minutes ago, Izzieq said: I am in complete shock right now!! Wow!! This is the LAST thing I expected on waking up this morning. Wow!! My jaw is on the floor. I know that sounds over the top but given everything she's always said this is shocking. You and me both ... and probably everyone in Denmark! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Izzieq Posted December 31, 2023 Report Share Posted December 31, 2023 Just now, smt1 said: You and me both ... and probably everyone in Denmark! Oh I can just imagine the Danes sitting down as always to watch the speech and it ends like that! Many are probably still frozen in shock staring at the tv set. Denmark has certainly entered unchartered territory. And it makes me wonder what effect, if any, this could have on the other two monarchies in Sweden and Norway. Denmark has now set a precedent for the future that a monarch stepping aside is an option. This is an incredibly historic moment for Denmark. And now it is up to the Danes to give the new King and Queen the space to shape their own reign and the monarchy moving forward. January 14th will be a very emotional day. This also immediately changes the life of Prince Christian and Princess Isabella. He becomes CP and gets a seat on the Council of State. His duties will multiply and Isabella will also imo be expected to increase her public role. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mls Posted December 31, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2023 Press release from the PM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chances Posted December 31, 2023 Report Share Posted December 31, 2023 What a way to wake up this morning to this news. Totally unexpected but something to look forward to. I hope Queen Margrethe is ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayvee Posted December 31, 2023 Report Share Posted December 31, 2023 I was really surprised by QMII’s abdication announcement. So many times, she has mentioned she would never abdicate. I hope QMII is okay health-wise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mls Posted January 1 Author Report Share Posted January 1 7 hours ago, ayvee said: So many times, she has mentioned she would never abdicate. I hope QMII is okay health-wise. My first thought as well, yesterday. She did, however, change that wording a bit around the time PH was diagnosed with dementia/the time of his death. There are and will be a huge amount of articles in the Danish and foreign press about the upcoming abdication. I will personally stick to posting only the ones that are relevant as to the practical side of things and events. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Izzieq Posted January 1 Report Share Posted January 1 49 minutes ago, mls said: My first thought as well, yesterday. She did, however, change that wording a bit around the time PH was diagnosed with dementia/the time of his death. There are and will be a huge amount of articles in the Danish and foreign press about the upcoming abdication. I will personally stick to posting only the ones that are relevant as to the practical side of things and events. I thought at some point she also mentioned if her health became an issue when talking about stepping down. To be honest she's been looking frail for months. While her mind is sharp I think she finally has to admit that physically she cannot perform the duties of monarch fully and to the level they are expected. That is why you always say never say never. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mls Posted January 1 Author Report Share Posted January 1 I seriously hope, that King Frederik X will be allowed to be himself and not to be constantly compared to QM. Not much chance of that, I guess... Would be rather odd, if a new generation would be expected to do things the same way as the previous... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Izzieq Posted January 1 Report Share Posted January 1 11 minutes ago, mls said: I seriously hope, that King Frederik X will be allowed to be himself and not to be constantly compared to QM. Not much chance of that, I guess... Would be rather odd, if a new generation would be expected to do things the same way as the previous... I was thinking the same thing. I hope he and Mary are allowed to now make their own mark as the royal couple. Of course there will be changes. There always are when there is a passing of the baton. I hope that they are given the time to settle in and don't compare everything to QMII because that will just overshadow his reign and imo make him incredibly self conscious of every move he makes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulamary Posted January 1 Report Share Posted January 1 Such news! I'm glad Margethe had this choice and she made it. If she can't give 100%, and she recognizes this, it's a good step. Here's to seeing King Frederik and Queen Mary. The recent polls show nothing but support. And I'm sure the now (in a few days) crown Prince Christian will have a great support system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stellad Posted January 1 Report Share Posted January 1 This news was indeed a shock. However, I am happy there was an abdication rather than Prince Frederik taking over at the death of Q. Margrethe. Obviously, the decision was made a while ago and it makes sense for me why the Queen made the sudden changes to the title of Prince Joachim's children and then also Mary and Fred's second visit to her family and Mary's tears at her departure. I assume Mary must have told her family and close friends and realized she wouldn't be able to visit for a while more so that her Dad was not well. Hopefully, he and her siblings will be able to travel to Denmark for the day when the Proclamation will be made. Happy retirement to Queen Margrethe and congratulations to the Crown Prince couple. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mls Posted January 1 Author Report Share Posted January 1 https://www.kongehuset.dk/en/news/abdication When HM The Queen abdicates at the Council of State on Sunday, 14 January 2024, it will be the first time in nearly 900 years that this has happened in Denmark – thus, it will be an extraordinary and historic event. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mls Posted January 3 Author Report Share Posted January 3 https://www.kongehuset.dk/nyheder/dekoreringer-og-udnaevnelser-pr-1-januar-2024 QM's LIW's new titles as of 1. January. Not sure what the correct English translation for kammerdame is. Translates to "Chambermaide" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mls Posted January 6 Author Report Share Posted January 6 https://via.ritzau.dk/pressemeddelelse/13767769/dr-og-tv-2-samler-danskerne-til-aere-for-dronning-margrethe-med-stort-show-direkte-fra-kongens-nytorv?publisherId=2298764&lang=da Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stellad Posted January 6 Report Share Posted January 6 I am so happy that I am still on school holidays, so I will be able to stay up late to watch whatever is shown live on Danish television. We in Australia need to witness this occasion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mls Posted January 6 Author Report Share Posted January 6 I am also happy that the 14th is a Sunday. Would have been really annoying to be at work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Izzieq Posted January 6 Report Share Posted January 6 So happy that not only does this happen on a Sunday so I can watch all the coverage as well from here in the US. But the next day, the 15th, is a national holiday here and my office is closed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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