Queen Margrethe II to be celebrated in fairytale fashion before abdication
The Danish monarch announced during her New Year’s speech, that she will abdicate on Sunday, the 14th of January.
A golden coach built in 1840, painted with 24-carat gold and led by six horses will be the mode of transport for Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II as she passes through the streets of central Copenhagen on Thursday, 4th of January 2024.
The fairytale experience is part of the yearly royal New Year banquet held at Christiansborg Palace.
What is special this year is that the Queen surprised the nation by announcing her plans to abdicate during her New Year’s address on live television on the 31st of December, 2023.
The route begins from Christian IX's Palace at Amalienborg CastlePhoto:Marc Skafte-Vaabengaard
The golden coach is traditionally only in use for the New Year banquet, meaning that locals and visitors on Thursday will get the chance to celebrate the Queen when she passes between Amalienborg Castle and Christiansborg Palace – once at 9:10 CET and then again at 13:30 CET.
The route takes about 10-15 minutes with weather predictions of snow.
Will leave meeting as king
There will be no formal coronation for Queen Margrethe’s oldest son, who will become HM King Frederik X, as he instead will attend an extraordinary Council of State meeting in the Danish parliament building Christiansborg on Sunday, the 14th of January.
Queen Margrethe is the longest-serving living monarch in Europe, and she will step down 52 years after the exact day she was crowned queen.
The new Monarch will enter the Council of State meeting as a Crown Prince, and after the Danish Queen has signed a declaration of abdication, he will leave Christiansborg as Denmark’s king, with Crown Princess Mary becoming HM Queen Mary.
According to the Royal Family’s official website, the last time a Danish sovereign voluntarily gave up the throne before their death was in 1146 when King Erik the 3rd Lam stepped down to enter a monastery.
The Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen will present the new king at Christiansborg Palace after the Council of State meeting.
Prince Christian will then become the heir to the throne and will be referred to as HRH Crown Prince Christian. Queen Margrethe II will continue to be called Majesty and bear the title HM Queen Margrethe.
See the latest news in English on the royal family’s website
Senior Manager – Press & PR