Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Princess Margrethe to be heir

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 June 5, 1953

King Frederik IX of Denmark today signed the new Constitution, "approved by Parliament and ratified by plebiscite May 28", reports the New York Times.

This is Denmark's fifth constitution.  One of the primary changes is the inclusion of female succession.  Before this change, only males could succeed to the throne. King Frederik and Queen Ingrid have three daughters, Margrethe, Benedikte, and Anne Marie.

Princess Margrethe is now the heiress presumptive. She cannot be the heir apparent because she can be superseded by a younger brother.

She will be known as HRH The Princess Margrethe of Denmark until her 18th birthday when she will be styled as the Crown Princess of Denmark.
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The heir to the throne was the king's younger brother, Prince Knud, who has two sons and a daughter,  The prince and his family have been vocal in their disappointment with the change to the succession.

The king has bestowed the title "Hereditary Prince" on his younger brother.

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