Queen Margrethe II's Abdication & King Frederik X's Proclamation
On Sunday, Queen Margrethe II abdicated after a 52-year reign and left the throne to her eldest son Crown Prince Frederik who became King Frederik X upon his accession.
©Dennis Stenild/Kongehuset
The important day started with Crown Prince Frederik, Crown Princess Mary, and their four children traveling by car from Frederik VIII’s Palace, Amalienborg to Christiansborg Palace where the abdication and proclamation would take place.
Queen Margrethe then rode in a carriage from Christian IX’s Palace, Amalienborg to Christiansborg Palace, escorted by the Guard Hussar Regiment.
At Christianborg Palace, Queen Margrethe, Crown Prince Frederik, and Prince Christian took part in the Council of State during which Queen Margrethe signed a declaration of her abdication. Crown Prince Frederik thus became King Frederik X, Crown Princess Mary became Queen Mary, and Prince Christian became Crown Prince Christian.
Following the Council of State and her abdication, Queen Margrethe departed from Christianborg Palace and traveled back by car to Christian IX’s Palace.
King Frederik was then officially proclaimed King of Denmark by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on the balcony of Christianborg Palace. King Frederik made a short speech during which he revealed his motto: “Forbundne, forpligtet, for Kongeriget Danmark.” (“Bound, Committed, for the Kingdom of Denmark”).
The new King Frederik was joined by Queen Mary and their four children on the balcony to greet the crowds waiting to celebrate their new Royal Couple.
King Frederik and Queen Mary then rode in a carriage, escorted by the Guard Hussar Regiment’s mounted squadron, from Christiansborg Palace to Frederik VIII’s Palace.
Afterward, King Frederik, Queen Mary, and their children made a surprise appearance on the balcony of Frederik VIII’s Palace to greet the crowds who had waited for them at Amalienborg.
Queen Margrethe wore her BUKKEHAVE fur coat with a repeated Annette Freifeldt pink suit and her Marc Jacobs bag. Billed-Bladet reports her earrings were a birthday present from Prince Henrik in 1990. With thanks to The Court Jeweller, Queen Margrethe also wore the diamond and ruby horseshoe brooch given to her by her father King Frederik IX when she became heir. She also wore it for her proclamation ceremony in 1972.
Queen Mary wore a white outfit designed by Soeren Le Schmidt and sewn by Birgit Hallstein. Birgit Hallstein was also the one who sewed her Uffe Frank wedding gown. She paired the dress with her Prada pumps and jewels from the Ruby Parure.
Princess Isabella wore a Carolina Herrera coat with her mother’s Valentino pumps. She also wore a brooch she received from her grandmother as a christening gift in 2007.
Princess Josephine wore her mother’s Prada coat and Dulong earrings. She also wore Dulong rings.
