A Guide to Abdication in the 21st Century

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On New Year's Eve, Queen Margrethe surprised the world when she announced she would be abdicating in two weeks, passing the throne to her eldest son, Prince Frederik (who will soon reign as King Frederik X). When she abdicates, the Danish royal family notes, " it will be the first time in nearly 900 years that this has happened in Denmark."

But while abdication—giving up the throne—may be rare in Denmark, there are a few examples of abdication in the modern era that Margrethe could've looked towards, including Queen Beatrix (2013, the Netherlands), King Juan Carlos I (2014, Spain), and Emperor Akihito (2019, Japan). Here, a guide to abdication in the 21st century:

2024: Queen Margrethe of Denmark

Abdication date: January 14, 2024

Age at abdication: 83 years old

Length of reign: 52 years

Succeeded by: Her son, Prince Frederik, who will become King Frederik X

Queen Margrethe announced her plans to abdicate in her New Year's Eve address, saying, "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."

Pictured: Queen Margrethe delivers her New Year's speech, announcing her plans to abdicate in two weeks' time.

2019: Emperor Akihito of Japan

Abdication date: April 30, 2019

Age at abdication: 85 years old

Length of reign: 30 years

Succeeded by: His son, the now-Emperor Naruhito

Emperor Akihito became the first Japanese emperor to abdicate in nearly 200 years. "I am deeply grateful for the people that accepted me as a symbol and supported me," Emperor Akihito said upon his abdication. "I sincerely wish, together with the Empress, that the Reiwa era which begins tomorrow will be a stable and fruitful one. I pray, with all my heart, for peace and happiness for all the people in Japan and around the world."

Pictured: Emperor Akihito attends the abdication ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan.

2014: King Juan Carlos I of Spain

Abdication date: June 19, 2014

Age at abdication: 85 years old

Length of reign: 39 years

Succeeded by: His son, the now-King Felipe VI

The official reason given was age, but, it came after news of an affair, an elephant hunting safari, and a corruption investigation involving his son-in-law.

Read more: Juan Carlos I and the Spanish Royal Family's Game of Thrones

2013: King Albert II of Belgium

Abdication date: July 21, 2013

Age at abdication: 75 years old

Length of reign: 20 years

Succeeded by: His son, the now-King Philippe

"I realize that my age and my health are no longer allowing me to carry out my duties as I would like to," he said in his abdication announcement. "Prince Philippe is well prepared to succeed me."

Pictured: King Albert II in front of the Cathedral of St Michael and Saint Gudula prior to the Inauguration of King Philippe.

2013: Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands

Abdication date: April 30, 2013

Age at abdication: 75 years old

Length of reign: 33 years

Succeeded by: Her son, the now-King Willem Alexander

Queen Beatrix followed Dutch tradition, becoming the third monarch in a row to abdicate. (Her mother, Queen Juliana, abdicated on her 71st birthday, and her grandmother, Queen Wilhelmina abdicated at the age of 68.) She's now known as Princess Beatrix, and greeted crowds on the day of her abdication, saying, ""I am happy and grateful to introduce to you your new king, Willem-Alexander."

Pictured: Queen Beatrix and King Willem Alexander appear on the balcony of the Royal Palace to greet the public after her abdication and ahead of the Inauguration of King Willem Alexander.

2013: Emir Hamad bin Khalifa of Qatar

Abdication date: June 25, 2013

Age at abdication: 61 years old

Length of reign: 18 years

Succeeded by: His fourth son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani

He deposed his father in a bloodlesss coup in 1995, but the transition to power for his son was much smoother due to the abdication. Sheikh Hamad simply stated, "I declare that I will hand over the reins of power to Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and I am fully certain that he is up to the responsibility, deserving the confidence, capable of shouldering the responsibility and fulfilling the mission."

Pictured: Sheikh Hamad days before announcing his abdiccation.

2006: King Jigme Singye Wangchuck of Bhutan

Abdication date: December 14, 2006

Age at abdication: 50 years old

Length of reign: 34 years

Succeeded by: His eldest son, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck

King Jigme Singye Wangchuck acceded to the Dragon throne when he was just 16 years old, and stepped down in favor of his 28-year-old son. "The crown prince has much to learn about the responsibilities that go with ruling the country," he said at the time. "I have decided to step down so that the new king will be able to gather experience before the parliamentary elections in 2008."

Pictured: King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, left, and his father, former King Jigme Singye Wangchuck during a coronation celebration at the Chang-Lime-Thang stadium on November 8, 2008 in Thimphu

2004: King Nordom Sihanouk of Cambodia

Abdication date: October 7, 2004

Age at abdication: 81 years old

Length of reign: A little complicated—he reigned from 1941 to 1955, abdicated and was succeeded by his father. He then was prime minister, Chief of State, exiled, reinstated as king in 1993, then abdicated again in 2004. Technically, then, 24 years.

Succeeded by: His eldest son, King Norodom Sihamoni

Pictured: King Norodom Sihamoni (R) and his father, king Norodom Sihanouk (L) and Cambodian people at Phnom Penh airport.

2000: Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg

Abdication date: October 7, 2000

Age at abdication: 79 years old

Length of reign: 36 years

Succeeded by: His son, Grand Duke Henri

Grand Duke Jean took the Luxembourg throne after his mother, Grand Duchess Charlotte, abdicated in 1964. Decades later, he would abdicate in favor of his eldest son, Prince Henri.

Pictured: Grand Duke Jean and Grand Duke Henri on the balcony of the Grand Ducal Palace on the day of the abdication.

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