Anjali Sharma
GG News Bureau
NEW YORK, 2nd Dec. According to news media reports on Monday Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II has unexpectedly declared she will step down early in 2024 after over 52 years in power.
Margrethe, 83, announced that she would be handing over the crown to her son, Crown Prince Frederik said during her annual New Year’s Eve address shown on Danish television.
She gave an example of her beliefs about the future referenced a back operation she underwent in February 2023.
“In two weeks time, I have been Queen of Denmark for 52 years. Such an amount will leave its mark on anybody–and 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,” the queen said.
Queen Margrethe II said that she underwent “extensive back surgery” in February this year.
She added “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.
“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,” the queen announced, according to Danish media.
King Frederik IX passed away on January 14, 1972 Queen Margrethe II assumed the throne.
After the death of Queen Elizabeth II of Britain in the previous year, Margrethe assumed the title of Europe’s longest-serving queen.
