Viral Video Captures the Shock Across Denmark as Queen Margrethe Announces Abdication

The Danish Royal House said the Queen of Denmark will become the first Danish sovereign to step down in nearly 900 years

Queen Margrethe of Denmark’s abdication announcement was the New Year’s Eve surprise many revelers weren’t expecting.

On Sunday, the 83-year-old Queen of Denmark used her annual New Year’s Address to announce that she will be abdicating on Jan. 14, the 52nd anniversary of her accession to the throne. While the monarch confirmed that the crown will pass as expected to her eldest son Crown Prince Frederik, a montage of some of the public’s gobsmacked reactions is going viral online.

“A little clip about members of the Danish Public during the speech of Queen Margrethe,” royal fan blogger ChristinsQueens wrote on X on New Year’s Day.

As seen in the clip, which has since been viewed nearly 300,000 times online, several groups celebrating New Year’s Eve had cameras rolling while watching the Queen’s holiday address on Danish television. The surprise in their eyes epitomized just how unexpected the news was, and one young woman even burst into tears.

Related: Queen Margrethe of Denmark Makes Last Public Appearance Before Controversial Abdication

"What?" one group yelled while watching TV, as other young people shared Snapchat videos of themselves with captions like “No no no no” and “No more queen.”

One playful group popped confetti as a merrymaker screamed, and four young men raised their glasses for a somber toast.

According to The Local Denmark, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen completely changed her New Year speech to discuss the Queen’s abdication. Though the prime minister’s annual address typically focuses on domestic issues and government plans for the year ahead, Frederiksen instead spoke about how Queen Margrethe brought the people of Denmark together.

“You have been our anchor when the wind blew. Our conscience in life’s important questions. Our guide during decades in which the Denmark of the future emerged. You have brought us together in both the every day and the difficult,” Frederiksen said in her address that aired on Jan. 1, The Local reported.

Related: Why the New King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark Won't Have a Coronation Like King Charles

On Thursday, thousands lined the streets of Copenhagen (in freezing temperatures!) to see Queen Margrethe as she traveled from Amalienborg Palace to Christiansborg Palace for a New Year’s reception in the Danish Royal House’s gold coach. The Queen gave a wave through the window in what’s expected to be her last public event before her historic abdication in 10 days.

Queen Margrethe’s step down has come as a shock to most Danes because she previously hinted that she intended to reign for life, and will become the first Danish sovereign to voluntarily step down from the throne in nearly 900 years, the Danish Royal House said in a statement.

Following the death of her cousin Queen Elizabeth in September 2022, Queen Margrethe became Europe's only ruling female monarch. In July 2023, she became the longest-reigning monarch in Danish history.

Queen Margrethe acceded to the throne at age 31 in 1972 following the sudden death of her father King Frederik IX, and she referred to both her record reign and back surgery in February 2023 in prefacing her abdication announcement on New Year’s Eve.

“In two weeks' time, I have been Queen of Denmark for 52 years. Such an amount will leave its mark on anybody – also on me! The time takes its toll, and the number of ‘ailments’ increases. One cannot undertake as much as one managed in the past,” Queen Margrethe said in her New Year Address, per an English translation.

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“In February this year, I underwent extensive back surgery. Everything went well, thanks to the competent health personnel, who took care of me. Inevitably, the operation gave cause to thoughts about the future – whether now would be an appropriate time to pass on the responsibility to the next generation,” she continued. “I have decided that now is the right time. On 14th January 2024 – 52 years after I succeeded my beloved father – I will step down as Queen of Denmark. I will hand over the throne to my son Crown Prince Frederik.”

Queen Margrethe, Prince Frederik and Princess Mary seemed to be in good spirits on Thursday at the palace reception for military officers and other officials, as the countdown continues to the official change of reign.

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