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

Queen Margrethe of Denmark will abdicate the throne this month, making her eldest son the new monarch, but there won't be a formal crowning ceremony

Queen Margrethe of Denmark shockingly announced that she will step down as monarch this month, but this change of reign won't come with an elaborate coronation like King Charles had in the U.K. last year.

When Queen Margrethe abdicates the throne on Jan. 14, her eldest son Crown Prince Frederik will become King Frederik X. His wife, Crown Princess Mary, will become queen consort and known as Queen Mary.

But unlike the British and some other royal houses around the world, King Frederik and Queen Mary will not be crowned in a coronation service. Instead, a proclamation of the new reign will be made at Christiansborg Palace on Jan. 14. According to Royal Central, the prime minister has proclaimed each new monarch on the balcony of the Danish palace since the early 1900s.

Queen Margrethe, 83, was announced as monarch in a similar proclamation on Jan. 14, 1972, following the death of her father, King Frederik IX. This month's change of reign will come on the 52nd anniversary of her accession. But since Queen Margrethe abdicated and the change of reign didn't come as a result of a death, it will be a much happier occasion.

Related: Queen Margrethe, Prince Frederik and Princess Mary Step Out Together Following Change of Reign News

Denmark's sovereign used to be welcomed with a coronation. Tatler reports that the first Danish coronation took place in 1170 with the reign of King Canute VI, but the practice changed in 1660 when Denmark became a hereditary monarchy. Kings and queens were still anointed (but no longer crowned) until 1849 when the switch was made to a constitutional monarchy.

Queen Margrethe's abdication came as a surprise, as she previously said she would rule for her entire life and the last Danish monarch's abdication was in 1146, according to The Guardian. But other European monarchies are known to pass the reign down to the next generation before their deaths.

King Willem-Alexander became the Dutch monarch in 2013 after his mother, the former Queen Beatrix, stepped down. She became known as Princess Beatrix and is still alive 10 years later, continuing royal duties in a lesser capacity than her heir.

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Other monarchs have stepped down due to scandal. King Juan Carlos of Spain abdicated in 2014 due to a corruption investigation, making his son, King Felipe, the new monarch.

King Albert of Belgium also abdicated in 2013 citing health reasons, making way for his son King Philippe to take the throne. (Albert's step down also came after the monarch was asked to appear in court by sculptor Delphine Boël, who was intent on proving that he was her biological father. A DNA test taken in January 2020 confirmed that Delphine is the daughter of King Albert, and she's been welcomed into the royal fold.)

While the U.K. and Japan have staged elaborate coronations in recent years, the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain all marked the new reigns with lower-key proclamation ceremonies.

Queen Margrethe cited health concerns in her New Year's speech where she announced her abdication.

"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 said, per an English translation of the official speech transcription. "I have decided that now is the right time. On 14 January 2024, 52 years after I succeeded my beloved father, I will step down as Queen of Denmark. I leave the throne to my son Crown Prince Frederik."

There is speculation that the unexpected move came to bolster Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary’s bond amid gossip of an affair. In November 2023, reports swirled that Frederik was having an affair with Mexican-born socialite Geneveva Casanova after they were photographed together in Madrid. Casanova denied allegations of a romantic relationship with Frederik, and the royal couple continued to display a united front in recent months.

Related: Crown Princess Mary of Denmark's Hairstylist of 23 Years Says He's Stepping Down as She Becomes Queen

Author and royal commentator Phil Dampier spoke to The Telegraph about Queen Margrethe's surprise decision coming shortly after Crown Prince Frederik was accused of having an affair with Mexican-born socialite Geneveva Casanova after they were photographed together during his private trip to Madrid.

“It’s possible that the Queen took this action because she would have been terrified of the marriage breaking up and the royal family losing Mary. It would have caused major problems. The Queen has always seen Mary as a tremendous asset,” Dampier said.

“It just seems an extraordinary coincidence that she should make this unexpected announcement just a couple of months after stories emerged of the Crown Prince supposedly having an affair,” the author added. “In two weeks’ time, the prince and princess will be pitched together as king and queen and they will have to get on with it. The Queen may be thinking that they will patch up their differences and it will save their marriage.”

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