“Shivering went through my body, to say the least. It was a shock,” 30-year-old Stefan Teichert told AFP, adding that he, like many other Danes, watched the 83-year-old queen’s annual New Year’s speech live on television.
The hugely popular, chimney-smoking monarch has insisted for years that she will never step down.
“We were all shocked. We thought, “What? Cancel New Year’s celebrations!” said 39-year-old Maria Jepersen. “It’s like someone in the family is dead.”
21-year-old Rasmus Eliassen seconded her, but also saw the positive side of this matter.
“I’m glad she’s leaving [sostą] not because of death,” he said, adding that Denmark would remain in good hands with the future king, Crown Prince Frederik.
Margrethe II has helped make the Danish monarchy one of the most popular in the world, with more than 80% of people supporting her, according to a recent poll. danish
In 2018, she became a widow. She had back surgery this February.
In a statement on Sunday, she said the operation “prompted us to think regarding the future – whether now would be a good time to hand over responsibility to the next generation”.
Crown Prince Frederik, 55, will take the throne as King Frederik X.
There will be no official coronation ceremony.
He will be crowned king in an extraordinary cabinet meeting following his mother formally abdicates, with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen introducing the new monarch from the balcony.
“Her son is ready,” said Jesper Volpius, 55, adding that the queen’s decision to step down shows she is a strong woman.
A poll published by Danish broadcaster TV2 in December showed that the queen is the most popular member of the Danish royal family, followed by Frederik.
Prime Minister Frederiksen called Margrethe II “the embodiment of Denmark” on Sunday.
“Many of us don’t know another monarch,” she said. “During all those years (she) gave meaning to who we are as people and as a nation with words and feelings.”
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2024-07-13 23:16:48
