Queen Margrethe II of Denmark became Queen after her father’s death King Frederick IX in 1972. In her annual New Year’s Eve speech on December 31, Queen Margrethe II announced that she had made the decision to abdicate and that her son, Crown Prince Frederik would become King.
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This news came as a shock to many Danes as the Queen had not shown previous signs that she would ever abdicate. Indeed, she had previously revealed that being Queen was a job for life and she intended to reign until her death, like her father and her predecessors.
Royal experts believe they know why Queen Margrethe decided to abdicate and it may be to save her son’s marriage.
Queen Margrethe II may be trying to save her son’s marriage
It is believed that the Queen of Denmark is trying to save her eldest son’s marriage after rumours spread that he was having an affair with a Mexican actress.
Indeed, as reported by The Telegraph, Crown Prince Frederik used to be seen as a playboy when he was younger. Back in November 2023, the Crown Prince was seen in Madrid with Genoveva Casanova, 47, reportedly sharing a dinner date.
The Spanish magazine, Lecturas photographed the pair walking around the Spanish capital. Genoveva Casanova has denied having a romantic relationship with the Crown Prince.
According to Phil Dampier, an author and commentator, who has been following the Danish royal family for 20 years, Queen Margrethe’s abdication has come at a very suspicious timing:
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.
He added that Queen Margrethe hopes that Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary will be able to sort out their differences and ‘save their marriage’:
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.
Queen Margrethe II is making Danish history
Queen Margrethe II will officially abdicate on January 14, 2024, exactly 52 years after she became reigning Queen. As reported by The Telegraph, Queen Margrethe's abdication is making Danish history, as she is the first Danish monarch in 500 years to abdicate.
Indeed, the news that she would no longer be Queen shocked many as in 2016, she revealed she planned to remain Queen until she died:
It’s always been: you stay as long as you live. That’s what my father did and my predecessors. And the way I see it too.
Lars Hovbakke Sorensen, a historian and an expert on the Danish royals revealed that the last Danish monarch to abdicate was in 1523.
Queen Margrethe revealed in her speech that she is abdicating due to her age, currently 83, and health issues. Indeed, she has suffered from back issues and underwent surgery in early 2023.
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Sources used:
The Telegraph: ‘Queen Margrethe II abdicated to save son’s marriage after affair rumours, says Danish royal expert’
