From the Danish Royal House's Communications office.
"Since the Constitution of 1849, it has been a tradition that Danish regents are proclaimed from Christiansborg Castle at a change of throne.
Thus both HM The Queen and Frederik IX were proclaimed from Christiansborg Castle in 1972 and 1947 respectively. Twice, however, a king has been proclaimed from Amalienborg.
The first time was on 30 January 1906, when Frederik VIII assumed the throne. At the time, Christiansborg Castle was under construction after the fire in 1884. Just six years later, a new king had to be proclaimed when Frederik VIII died suddenly. As Christiansborg Castle was still under construction, the proclamation of Christian 10th on 15 May 1912 therefore also took place at Amalienborg.
The tradition of proclaiming a change of throne originates from ancient times when a change of throne was announced to the people at the open county councils in the various parts of the country. Back then, it was done by a trusted official announcing the change of throne in all four corners of the world, so that everyone had the opportunity to hear it.
As the proclamation today takes place from a balcony, the Prime Minister, who is in charge of the proclamation, fails to face the Throne Hall and thus proclaims from three corners of the world.
It is Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen who on Sunday at 15:00 proclaims His Majesty King Frederik 10th from the balcony of Christiansborg Palace."
We need to remember that proclamations date from a time when there was no media in any form.
ReplyDeleteA proclamation was how people heard the news.