AAlthough Denmark's Queen Margrethe II announced a change of throne, the throne will not play a role on Sunday, when Crown Prince Frederika becomes Denmark's new King Frederik X. The new monarch is also unanointed. He doesn't even wear a crown. In Denmark, monarchs change without much fanfare.
But a cart is used. The current Queen Margrethe herself is the first to climb it. The road runs from his residence, Palais Christian IX. Amalienborg Palace to Christiansborg Palace. That's less than ten blocks. According to the ceremonial program announced by the royal family, the Crown Prince and his wife, Crown Princess Mary, and their eldest child, Prince Christian, will arrive, also starting at Amalienborg Palace.
At 2 p.m., a State Council meeting will be held at Christiansborg Palace, attended by the Queen, the Crown Prince and the Prince. During the meeting, Queen Margrethe II signs a declaration of abdication, making her son the new king of Denmark, his wife Mary the queen, and her son Christian the crown prince. Queen Margrethe, who retains her title, then drives back in the car. A carriage later takes the new royal couple away.
Using the “Golden Wedding Chariot”.
King Frederik then steps onto the balcony of Christiansborg Palace with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Frederiksen announces him as the new king. Frederik X. makes a short speech on the balcony in front of probably thousands of onlookers and ends it by announcing his motto. What will become of it is not yet known. From his mother it was written: “God's help, people's love, Denmark's strength”.
Afterwards, a gun salute is fired and at the same time the royal standard is raised in the Palais Christian IX. lowered at Amalienborg Castle and raised at Frederik VIII's Palace in Amalienborg, the seat of the new king. The new royal couple then travel by carriage from Christiansborg Palace to Frederik VIII Palace.
According to the royal family, the vehicle is a “Golden Wedding Coach” built in Copenhagen between 1891 and 1892. It was given to the then regent and her husband Christian IX. and Queen Louise, gifted to the city by artisans for her golden wedding anniversary. It is the newest carriage in the royal family's fleet. It was built at the King's request in a light and elegant style and was the first carriage to have electric lights inside and out. The interior upholstery is made of white satin and bears the monograms of King Christian IX. and Queen Louise, as well as the Royal Coat of Arms of Denmark.
So far, he has not been considered a great orator
The new king will appear in parliament on Monday. There, a ceremony marking the change of throne takes place, in which the royal family also takes part. The new monarch meets with MPs, the Speaker of Parliament and the Prime Minister and gives a speech. It is likely to be longer than announced and eagerly awaited – Crown Prince Frederik has not been considered a great orator before. Then, on January 21, a solemn service will be held in Aarhus Cathedral.
After Frederik is proclaimed king, Margrethe remains head of state, even if she steps down two ranks. The royal family made the announcement on Wednesday. Therefore, if the first two heads of state, i.e. the king and the crown prince, cannot do so due to being abroad, he can assume the duties of the head of state.
Crown Princess Mary, Frederik's wife, will also become queen on Sunday. He had already made Margrethe head of state. Queen Margrethe's husband, Prince Henrik, was never head of state. Margrethe's relationship with her native Australian daughter Mary is said to be extremely trusting. Mary is even slightly more popular among the people than her husband.