A carriage ride and third balcony appearance

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 There were two balcony appearances by the King and Queen and their children at Christianborg Palace.  After the carriage ride through there was a third balcony appearance at Amalienborg. 

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 The King gave Mary a kiss on the cheek, but, unfortunately, none of the Getty photographers got it.

In Response

The Levee after the State Council meeting

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" Court – in Danish, kur – is derived from the French “cour”, which means court. The Danish use of the word especially refers to the ceremony in which a number of people obtain an audience with and greet the monarch. The Royal House of Denmark holds annual courts – also called as levees – for a wide circle of people in connection with the commencement of a new year. Ordinarily, a court or levee is carried out while standing, unlike a banquet, at which one is seated at a table. 

Representatives of official Denmark and of the Realm will take part in the court. 
 
The court guests in the Throne Room:
HM The King and HM The Queen
HRH The Crown Prince
HRH Prince Joachim 
Ms Jane Stephens 
 
Statsminister Mette Frederiksen
Formand for Folketinget Søren Gade 
H.E. Højesteretspræsident Jens Peter Christensen 
H.E. Forsvarschef, general Flemming Lentfer 
Statsrådssekretær, departementschef i Statsministeriet Barbara Bertelsen 
Rigspolitichef Thorkild Fogde 
Biskop over Københavns Stift Peter Skov-Jakobsen 
Formand for Naalakkersuisut Múte I.B. Egede  
Lagmand for Færøernes landsstyre Aksel V. Johannesen 
Representatives from the Court "

Messages from other Sovereigns

King Felipe V of Spain sent King Frederik X of Denmark a letter.

“Our congratulations on the beginning of your Reign, with the greatest personal affection and best wishes for the people of Denmark” 

@Casa Real

From King Harald V of Norway

Your Majesties,

Dear Frederik and Mary,

My family and I extend our warmest congratulations to you as Denmark's new royal couple.

You are succeeding a monarch who has fulfilled her role in an admirable manner. With warmth, wisdom, and dedication, Her Majesty Queen Margrethe has guided her country and people through joys and sorrows. For more than 50 years, she has managed to be a present monarch – with an infectious sense of humor and great knowledge. And with the strong support of her closest family. The close friendship between our two families means a lot to us all.

Now, you are to carry on the legacy and lead Denmark into a new era. I am confident that you will fulfill your new roles excellently. My family and I hope and pray that you may have the strength and support you need in your duties.

Harald R

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From the King of Sweden  (The King and Queen Margrethe are first cousins)

H.M. Queen Margrethe II

Amalienborg

COPENHAGEN

Your Majesty,

Dear cousin Daisy!

As you today step down from your high office as Queen of Denmark, I want to convey my warm thanks for the good collaboration over the years. You are now entering a changed role, but our friendship endures - sincere and constant.

As Queen of Denmark, you have been a guarantor of the closeness and affection that exists today between our countries and houses. For this, I want to thank you especially.

On this historic day, my family and I wish you all happiness and prosperity in the future.

CARL GUSTAF R

Drottningholm Palace

14th January 2024

H.M. King Frederik X

Amalienborg

COPENHAGEN

Your Majesty,

Dear Frederik!

As you ascend to the Danish throne today, I extend my congratulations on behalf of myself and the Swedish people to you and the people of Denmark.

Additionally, I wish to convey my sincerest well wishes to you and Queen Mary on behalf of myself and my family.

This day reminds us of the historical camaraderie, closeness, and warmth that connect our two countries and families.

It is my hope that the already close Danish-Swedish relations deepen even further in the years ahead.

CARL GUSTAF R

Drottningholm Palace

14th January 2024

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From King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark abdicated today in favour of her son, bringing to an end the longest reign in Danish history. For 52 years, as Sovereign, she put the interests of the Danish nation and people first. Her way of exercising the royal function and her dedication will remain an example to us all.

The King and Queen have warm memories of each of their encounters with the Queen. They wish King Frederik X and Queen Mary of Denmark all the best in their new roles. May this new era for the Danish nation be filled with happiness and prosperity.

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From the Custodian of the Crown and Prince Radu of Romania

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From HRH Crown Prince Alexander of Serbia

To our dear friends and relatives, His Majesty King Frederik X and Her Majesty Queen Consort Mary. Princess Katarina and I warmly congratulate you on ascending to the throne of the Kingdom of Denmark and assuming the responsible duties of the monarch of a developed constitutional parliamentary monarchy. I am confident that with the same dedication and commitment, you will continue to serve your people and country, setting a true example for the role of a monarch in today's world, as established by King Frederik X's mother, Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II.

We wish Their Majesties many more years of being loved and respected by the people of their country, leading them on the path of prosperity and progress, including the many Serbs living in the Kingdom of Denmark. Our friendship and sincere respect truly mean a lot to us, and we will continue to strengthen our ties!

King Frederik X: Bounded, committed - for the Kingdom of Denmark

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 The new King of Denmark  King Frederik X. He has chosen as his motto: Bounded, Committed for the Kingdom of Denmark!  Queen Margrethe's final words before leaving the State Council meeting were to her son. "Gud bevare Kongen!"  God Save the King!

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From King Charles III

 

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A message from the Netherlands

 

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An abdication, a new King

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Queen Margrethe II has signed the Act of Abdication in a State Council meeting in the presence of members of the Danish Cabinet and Frederik and his son, Christian    

After signing the document, the queen got up from her chair, as her grandson, now Crown Prince Christian walked over to her and handed Margrethe her cane.   Frederik bowed to his mother as she motioned to him to sit in the chair.  Crown Prince Christian sat down in the chair that his father had sat in for many years as the heir apparent.  

Queen Mary is not a member of the State Council so she could not attend the abdication signing.

Queen Margrethe II arrived at Christianborg Palace by carriage.

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She left the palace by car.

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Daisy takes her bow

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A nice portrait of Queen Margrethe II

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  https://www.washingtonpost.com/photography/interactive/2024/queen-margrethe-denmark-photos/ 

A new King for Denmark

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In less than 15 hours,  Crown Prince Frederik will become King Frederik X of Denmark. He will succeed his mother, Queen Margrethe II, following her abdication.  This brief ceremony will take place in the State Council meeting with the Danish Cabinet at Christianborg Palace.   It is during this meeting that Margrethe will sign the act of abdication.  Shortly afterward,  the new King Frederik X will appear on the palace's balcony with Denmark's Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, who will proclaim Frederik as the new King.  He will be joined by his Australian-born wife, Mary, who will be styled as Queen Mary.   Their elder son, Prince Christian becomes Crown Prince Christian.  

Likely, the new Crown Prince and his three younger siblings, Princess Isabella, Prince Vincent, and Princess Josephine will join their parents on the balcony.

The King will give a brief speech where he will announce his motto. 

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Queen Margrethe II succeeded to the throne on January 14, 1972, following the death of her father, King Frederik IX.  Her motto is God's help, the love of The People, Denmark's strength.

Denmark has not had a coronation since  November 23, 1648, when King Frederik III was crowned with his wife,  Princess Sophie Amalie of Brunswick-Lüneburg. Frederik was also King of Norway.  He died on February 9, 1670, and was succeeded by his son, King Christian III, the first hereditary monarch.  

Christian eschewed the coronation and established an Anointing Service.  This took place on June 7, 1671.   Danish sovereigns were anointed until June 28, 1840, with King Christian VIII and Queen Caroline Amalie.  He died on January 20, 1848.   By this time, Denmark had become a constitutional monarchy.  Christian VIII's only son, Frederik VII, was proclaimed king by the Prime Minister.  This tradition will be seen tomorrow when Frederik X is proclaimed,

No Coronation -- and no, the Prince and Princess of Wales will not be attending, although they will have probably sent their good wishes.    

Queen Margrethe II was the last sovereign of the House of Glücksburg, the first one was King Christian IX (1818-1906).   Frederik is the first sovereign in the House of Monpezat, but I won't be surprised if he chooses to keep Glücksburg as the House name.

Christian IX - Frederik VIII - Christian X -Frederik IX -Margrethe II - Frederik X 

Victoria - Arthur - Margaret - Ingrid - Margrethe II - Frederik X 

https://apnews.com/article/denmark-king-frederik-queen-margrethe-abdication-206c4d12166872386131a3e55146b93a

https://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-program-for-danish-succession.html

Two more QVDs due

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Several months ago came the news that Prince Christian and Princess Alessandra (Sassa) of Hanover were expecting their third child in early 2024.  Now comes the announcement that Christian's older brother, Hereditary Prince Ernst August, and his wife, Prince Ekaterina, are expecting their fourth child in a few months.

The two sons are the only children of Prince Ernst August of Hanover and his first wife, Chantal Hochuli.  

The younger Ernst August and Ekaterina Malysheva were married in July 2017.  They are the parents of three children: Princess Elisabeth (2018), Prince Welf August (2019) and Princess Eleonora (2021). 

The family lives in Gmunden,  Austria.

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 Prince Christian and Alessandra de Osma were married in March 2018.  They are based in Madrid where the princess designs handbags.  They are the parents of twins: Prince Nicolas and Princess Sofia, who were born in 2020.

Hereditary Prince Ernst August and Prince Christian's father,  Prince Ernst August, has been spending most of his time in Spain as he is romantically involved with a Spanish artist, Claudia Stillianopoulos.

The couple met in Ibiza in July 2021.   Prince Ernst August and his second wife, Princess Caroline of Monaco, have been separated for more than fourteen years, but have not divorced.

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 Claudia is 20 years younger than Ernst August.  She is the daughter of the late  José Manuel (Mike) Stilianopoulos y Estela who served as the Philippines's ambassador to the United Kingdom from 1977 to 1982 and Doña Esperanza (Pitita) Ridruejo.  

https://www.tatler.com/article/princess-carolines-ex-finds-love-again-with-spanish-artist

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https://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2021/09/another-qvd-daughter-for-hannovers.html

https://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2021/09/another-qvd-daughter-for-hannovers.html

https://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2020/07/2-new-qvds-twins-for-christian-and.html

https://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2020/03/a-new-qvd-due-in-summer.html

https://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2019/03/prince-welf-august-of-hannover.html

https://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2018/10/it-will-be-boy-and-his-name-will-be.html

https://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2018/03/christian-of-hannover-marries.html

https://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2018/02/a-girl-for-hereditary-prince-and.html

https://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2017/08/baby-news-baby-for-ernst-august-and.html

https://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2017/07/the-hanover-royal-wedding-july-8-2017.html

https://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2017/07/a-royal-wedding-in-hannover.html

Victoria - Victoria - Wilhelm II - Victoria Luise - Ernst August -Ernst August - Ernst August                                                                                                                                                - Christian 

Happy New Year, Frederik! You are going to be King.

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Denmark's oldest newspaper, Berlingske, is reporting that Queen Margrethe II made the decision to abdicate without confiding in her eldest son and heir apparent Crown Prince Frederik.  

This was confirmed to the newspaper by the Royal Palace's communication head, Lena Balleby.

The Queen announced her abdication during her annual New Year's Eve speech, which shocked the Danish nation, and, it appears, members of her own family.  The family was together for Christmas and the queen chose not to share her decision until three days before the end of the year, when she told Frederik of her decision to abdicate.   She also informed her younger son, Prince Joachim., who will remain to attend the Abdication ceremony on Sunday, which will take place during the Council of State meeting.    

Prince Joachim and his family live in Washington, D.C, where he works at the Danish Embassy where he is the Assistant Defence, Military, Naval & Air Attaché.  His wife, Princess Marie, and their two young children returned to the USA after the New Year celebrations.

Jakob Steen Olsen, who is Berlingske's royal commentator, told Danish TV2 that Margrethe made the decision to abdicate "in solitary majesty."  He added:  "She wants to be the one who makes the decisions herself -- even the difficult ones."

Danish historian Lars Hovbakke Sorensen told Berlingske: "After all, such a change of throne requires a lot of planning and preparation.  Three days is not long enough."   Hovbakke was not surprised that the queen chose to not share her news for so long, but was surprised that she had kept Frederik out of the loop for so long.

He believes there are two logical reasons why the Queen delayed her announcement. "Either the queen has known about this for a while and didn't want others to know, so the rumors could roll and people would not be able to keep it quiet.  We've seen that before.

"The other possibility is that the queen has only recently made the decision herself."

The historian also noted the now increased pressure on Prince Christian, who will become the Crown Prince when his father succeeds to the throne.   When he celebrated his eighteenth birthday last year,  the royal house announced that the young prince would not be taking on many public duties, but now that may change with the burden of being the heir apparent.

"He suddenly gets some official obligations that he should not have had for the time being.  Among other things, it is usually the heir to the throne who steps in as regent when the sovereign cannot fulfill his official duties for some reason," said Hovbakke.

The palace announced on Wednesday that Margrethe will continue to act as Regent if the King and the Crown Prince are abroad.

https://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2024/01/queen-margrethe-ii-can-act-as-head-of.html

https://nyheder.tv2.dk/samfund/2024-01-10-ekspert-ser-to-mulige-aarsager-til-dronningens-korte-varsel

https://www.berlingske.dk/kongehus/jakob-steen-olsen-kun-dronningen-kendte-til-sit-chokerende-valg