King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark at proclamation on Jan. 14, 2024.Photo:JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP via Getty
JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP via Getty
King Frederik XandQueen Maryof Denmark are making their royal debut as the new monarch and queen consort.
Denmark’s prime minister then stepped forward and proclaimed the change of reign from the balcony at Christiansborg Castle.
King Frederik, 55, gave a short speech and announced his royal motto.
After that, allfour of the couple’s children— Crown Prince Christian, Princess Isabella, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine — appeared on the balcony to wave to the crowds.
The crowd cheered when King Frederik and Queen Mary shared a kiss.
King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark kiss on Jan. 14, 2024.JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP via Getty
The signing of the abdication declaration and the following proclamation marked the official change of reign. Unlike King Charles last year, King Frederik and Queen Marywon’t be crowned in a coronation ceremony.
Later on Sunday, the transfer of the royal colors from Christian IX’s Palace (Queen Margrethe’s residence) to Frederik VIII’s Palace in Amalienborg (King Frederik’s residence) will take place.
Queen Margrethe, 83, became monarch on Jan. 14, 1972, following the death of her father, King Frederik IX. Her abdication came on the 52nd anniversary of her accession after sheannounced her shocking decisionto step down during herNew Year’s speech.
King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark make first appearance of reign with children on Jan. 14, 2024.BO AMSTRUP/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty
BO AMSTRUP/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty
“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,” she said, per an Englishtranslation of the official speechtranscription. “On 14 January 2024, 52 years after I succeeded my beloved father, I will step down as Queen of Denmark. I leave the throne to my son Crown Prince Frederik.”
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While there have been famous Queen Marys in the past, this one will have a distinct first as the only queen consort ever born in Australia.
Born Mary Donaldson, the new Danish queen was an Australian advertising executive before achance encounter changed her life. She found herself chatting to Prince Frederik, although he introduced himself simply as “Fred,” at the Slip Inn on Sydney’s Darling Harbor in September 2000. The pub was filled with people from around the world who were in town for the Olympics.
“Something clicked,” Crown Princess Mary said in a 2005 interview. “It wasn’t the fireworks in the sky or anything like that, but there was a sense of excitement.”
King Frederik of Denmark makes first appearance of reign on Jan. 14, 2024.JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP via Getty
Shortly into their conversation, Mary found out that she was talking to the Crown Prince of Denmark, heir to the 1,000-year-old Danish throne.
“The first time we met, we shook hands,” she said of their introduction. “I didn’t know he was the prince of Denmark. Half an hour later, someone came up to me and said, ‘Do you know who these people are?’ "
For a year, the pair got to know each other through a long-distance relationship that flew under the media’s radar.
“She got to know and love Frederik as the man he is, not as the Crown Prince,” Mary’s friend Chris Meehan later told the authors ofMary, Crown Princess of Denmark.
In 2002, Mary moved to Copenhagen, converted to the Lutheran Church and learned Danish, a notoriously tricky language to master. The couple announced their engagement in 2003 and married the following year at Copenhagen Cathedral.
King Frederik of Denmark makes first appearance of reign on Jan. 14, 2024.Samir Hussein/WireImage
Samir Hussein/WireImage
source: people.com
