By Rob Harris
Copenhagen: King Frederik X has acceded to the Danish throne with the stroke of a pen after his mother, Queen Margrethe II, formally signed her abdication at Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen on Sunday (local time).
His wife, Australian-born Mary, who had been the country’s crown princess for the past 20 years, has now become Queen Mary.
Denmark’s King Frederik X and Queen Mary wave from the balcony of Christiansborg Palace.Credit: AP
Egged on by tens of thousands who had gathered to see their new king and queen, the pair kissed on the palace balcony in scenes reminiscent of their fairytale wedding two decades ago.
Church bells rang out following the transfer of power much to the delight of both Danes and the few Australians outside the palace, which is also the home to the nation’s parliament.
At 3pm exactly, the doors to the Christiansborg balcony opened and the new king came out for Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen to proclaim the change of throne, announcing, “Long live King Frederik the 10th” three times – ceremonially facing all corners of the kingdom.
The new king and queen kiss on the palace balcony.Credit: Getty Images
Met with shouts of “hurrah” and an explosion of silver confetti, Frederik wiped away tears as he took in the massive show of support saying: “My hope is to become a unifying king of tomorrow.
“It’s a task I’ve approached all my life. It’s a task I’ve taken on with pride, respect and joy,” he said about an hour after he formally took the throne behind closed doors at a council of state meeting with senior members of the Danish government.
“I will make an effort to carry through the trust that meets me. I will need all the support I can get, from my beloved wife, from my family, from you and from that which is greater than us.”
Unlike Margrethe, who 52 years to the day took the throne grief-stricken following the death of her father, Frederik IX, the new king was able to pay tribute to his predecessor as she was driven through streets lined with adoring fans in a vintage Rolls-Royce.
“She will always be remembered as a regent beyond the ordinary. My mother, like few, has managed to be at one with her kingdom,” he said. “Today, the throne passes on.”
Her historic abdication, the first voluntary departure of a Danish monarch in 900 years, was witnessed by her son, grandson Crown Prince Christian, Danish cabinet officials and council of state members.
Signing away her regency, the outgoing queen had earlier left the state council chamber with tears in her eyes, saying “God save the king.”
The king, wearing the world’s oldest naval officer’s uniform, was later joined on the balcony by Mary, to huge roars from the crowd. The new queen was wearing a white dress by Danish designer Søren Le Schmidt, ruby red earrings from Queen Ingrid’s set, and a brooch with Margrethe’s portrait.
Their son Christian wore a suit and was joined by his young siblings, Princess Isabella and twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine. They waved to the crowds as four guns on the Copenhagen harbour fired a three-by-27-shot honorary salute.
Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II signs a declaration of abdication in the Council of State at Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen on Sunday.Credit: AP
In royal pomp and pageantry rarely seen in Denmark since the couple’s 2004 wedding, the king and queen then returned to their residence at Amalienborg in a horse-drawn carriage escorted by the Guardhussar Regiment’s Horse Squadron. They again waved to singing and chanting crowds from their balcony.
For Mary, it was the fulfilment of a fairytale-like journey since the former Tasmanian law student had a chance encounter with a prince in a Sydney bar during the 2000 Olympics. The couple married in 2004 and now have four children.
Police were forced to turn people away after an estimated 100,000 braved the sub-zero temperatures to line the cobblestone streets of Copenhagen. Among them was Rene Jensen, who dressed regally for the occasion in a crown and velvet gown.
“I think he’s going to be a great king. I’m looking forward to seeing how he’s going to do it and see him show more of himself,” he said.
From the balcony of Christiansborg Palace, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen proclaims King Frederik X.Credit: AP
“We have had 52 years of a wonderful queen as well. But Mary will be very important as our new queen. She is loved by the people.”
There were several Australian families in the crowd that lined the streets outside Copenhagen’s palaces, including families living in Denmark and some who had flown in for the occasion.
Judy Langtree, from Brisbane, booked flights with her granddaughter, Ebony Wilson, to be in Copenhagen for the big day.
“It’s a bit of history, isn’t it?” Judy said.
King Frederik X and Queen Mary ride in a coach back to Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen, Denmark.Credit: AP
“Ebony really wanted to come – that’s why we just did it. She’s just finished uni and I’ve retired and we thought, why not?”
In Australia, events were held at Sydney’s Slip Inn, where the two met,at Denmark House in Melbourne’s CBD and in Mary’s home state of Tasmania, where landmarks were lit in recognition of the popular royal.
Unlike in Britain, the Danish royal succession was a relatively low-key affair. It came just two weeks after Margrethe, 83, announced she would abdicate.
Margrethe, a third cousin to the late Elizabeth II through Queen Victoria, has been in ill health of late, but her announcement on New Year’s Eve stunned a nation that had expected her to live out her days on the throne, as is tradition in Denmark.
Margrethe underwent major back surgery last February and did not return to work until April.
Even the prime minister was unaware of her intentions until right before the announcement.
Margrethe had informed Frederik and his younger brother Joachim just three days earlier, the Berlingske newspaper wrote, citing the royal palace.
The abdication leaves Denmark with two queens as Margrethe will keep her title. The royal standard was lowered on Margrethe’s home and raised on the building where Frederik and Mary live.
Princess Josephine waves as she and her siblings Prince Vincent, Princess Isabella and Crown Prince Christian arrive at Amalienborg.Credit: Getty images
In the late afternoon, Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens amusement park planned to celebrate the new king and queen with the biggest fireworks show in the park’s 180-year history.
Across town, Australian expats on the Australian embassy’s email database, known affectionately as the “Vegemite List”, were invited to join ambassador Kerin Ayyalaraju for a soiree to toast Mary’s promotion.
In a statement, Britain’s King Charles congratulated the pair, saying he looked forward to ensuring the longstanding bond between the two countries and royal families remained strong.
“I pay tribute to your mother, Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II, and remember with pleasure the frequent visits between our two countries, including our visit to Copenhagen and Helsingør in 2012,” Charles wrote.
King Frederik X and Queen Mary wave to the crowd from the balcony of Christiansborg Palace.Credit: AP
“I was very pleased that Your Majesties were able to attend our coronation last year, and I very much look forward to future opportunities to celebrate the close bond that unites our countries and families.”
Sweden’s King Carl Gustaf, the outgoing queen’s cousin, also sent his best wishes, writing on the royal family’s Instagram page: “Your Majesty, dear Cousin Daisy! When you step down today from your high office as Queen of Denmark, I want to say a warm thank you for the good co-operation over the years.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced over the weekend that the federal government would provide a $10,000 donation in Mary’s honour to Wildcare Tasmania to support its efforts to ensure the survival of the Tasmanian devil.
The gesture followed Tasmania’s gift of a handmade huon pine occasional table to Mary and Frederik.
“The story of Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark is one Australians have followed closely and hold dear to their hearts,” Albanese said.
“Crown Princess Mary grew up in Tasmania, and so it is fitting Australia marks this occasion with a gift to support the conservation of the Tasmanian devil.”
The City of Hobart is marking the occasion by planting a blue gum tree in a prominent location.
Mary’s Hobart-based sister, Jane Stephens, had travelled to Copenhagen for the occasion.
With AAP, AP
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