Queen Margrethe travels in the gold coach to Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen on Jan. 4.Photo:Martin Sylvest Andersen/Getty

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark sits in the Golden Carriage escorted by the Guard Hussar Regiment’s Mounted Squadron from Amalienborg to Christiansborg Palace for the traditional New Year’s levee at Christiansborg Palace on January 4, 2024 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Martin Sylvest Andersen/Getty

Queen Margretheof Denmark rode in storybook style to her last public event before her historic abdication in 10 days.

Despite freezing temperatures, thousands gathered in the street to cheer Queen Margrethe along the route.

On New Year’s Eve, Queen Margrethe used her annual New Year’s Address to announce thatshe will abdicateon Jan. 14, the 52nd anniversary of her accession. Her eldest son,Crown Prince Frederik, will become monarch, and the Danish Royal House laterconfirmedhis wife,Crown Princess Mary, will be known as Queen Mary following the change of reign.

Royal commentator Phil Dampier toldThe Telegraphthat the news came as a shock to most Danes, as Margrethe had previously said she intended to reign for life. Dampier speculated that the decision was driven to bolster the bond between Frederik and Mary afterrumors surfacedin November 2023 that the Crown Prince was having an affair after he was photographed with a socialite Geneveva Casanova during a private trip to Madrid. Casanova hasdenied allegationsof a romantic relationship and the Crown Prince couple have continued to display a united front in the months since.

Queen Margrethe enters the New Year’s reception at Christiansborg Palace on Jan. 4.Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP/Getty

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark reviews an honour guard as she arrives to the New Year’s cure for officers from the Armed Forces and the National Emergency Management Agency, as well as invited representatives of major national organizations and the royal patronage at Christiansborg Castle in Copenhagen on January 4, 2024.

Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP/Getty

On Thursday, Queen Margrethe, Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary stepped out for the third time together since the surprise abdication announcement. Queen Margrethe walked in solo at Christiansborg Palace, while Crown Prince Frederik, 55, and Crown Princess Mary, 51, entered together.

The trio attended theNew Year’s banquetat Amalienborg Palace on Monday and reunited again at theNew Year’s receptionfor the diplomatic corps at Christiansborg Palace on Wednesday.

Crown Princess Mary and Crown Prince Frederik enter the New Year’s reception at Christiansborg Palace on Jan. 4.Martin Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP/Getty

Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark (R) and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark arrive to the New Year’s cure for officers from the Armed Forces and the National Emergency Management Agency, as well as invited representatives of major national organizations and the royal patronage at Christiansborg Castle in Copenhagen on January 4, 2024.

Martin Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP/Getty

Queen Margrethe sat for most of the New Year reception on Wednesday, while her son and daughter-in-law stood at her side. Last year, sheunderwent an “extensive back surgery"following longstanding issues, with Crown Prince Frederik acting as regent for his mother for most of her recovery period.

“This will be the last time that I am your host,” the Queen said at the event. “I wish you all a good year, even though there are dark clouds over many parts of the world.”

While prefacing the abdication announcement in her New Year’s Address, Queen Margrethe cited the back surgery she had last February as what got her thinking about the reign change.

Queen Margrethe, Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary greet the diplomatic corps during a New Year reception at Christiansborg Palace on Jan. 3.IDA MARIE ODGAARD/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images

Queen Margrethe, Prince Frederik and Princess Mary Step Out Together Following Change of Reign News

IDA MARIE ODGAARD/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images

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“I have decided that now is the right time,” she said in the speech broadcast on Danish television and shared her wishes that the public would support “the new king and queen.”

Queen Margrethe will make history when she formally abdicates at a council of state meeting on Jan. 14, and become the first Danish monarch to step down from the throne in nearly 900 years, the Danish Royal House said in astatement.

Queen Margrethe’s New Year’s Address on Dec. 31, 2023.Keld Navntoft / Ritzau Scanpix / AFP via Getty

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark gives a New Year’s speech from Christian IX’s Palace, Amalienborg Castle, in Copenhagen, Denmark, on December 31, 2023

Keld Navntoft / Ritzau Scanpix / AFP via Getty

source: people.com