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- The 83-year-old queen ascended the throne in 1972 and became the longest-serving monarch in Europe.
- She abdicates the throne to her son, Crown Prince Frederik, after 52 years.
- The queen said her decision came after she underwent back surgery in February, which made her reflect on the future.
Denmark's Queen Margrethe II, Europe's longest-serving monarch, will abdicate on 14 January after 52 years on the throne and will be succeeded by her eldest son, Crown Prince Frederik, she announced on Sunday.
The 83-year-old queen, who ascended the throne in 1972, became the longest-serving monarch in Europe following the death of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022.
The queen made the surprise announcement on live TV during her traditional New Year's Eve speech, which is viewed by many in the country of 5.9 million people.
In February, she underwent a successful back surgery.
She said:
"I leave the throne to my son, Crown Prince Frederik," she said.
In Denmark, formal power resides with the elected parliament and its government. The monarch is expected to stay above partisan politics, representing the nation with traditional duties ranging from state visits to national day celebrations.
Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen thanked the queen for her long-life dedication to duty.
"It is still difficult to understand that the time has now come for a change of throne," Frederiksen said in a statement, adding that many Danes had never known another monarch.
"Queen Margrethe is the epitome of Denmark and throughout the years has put words and feelings into who we are as a people and as a nation," she said.
Born in 1940, Margrethe has throughout her life enjoyed broad support from Danes, who are fond of her tactful and yet creative personality.
In September 2022 Queen Margrethe stripped four of her grandchildren of royal titles, creating tension within the Danish royal family.
"It is my duty and my desire as Queen to ensure that the monarchy always shapes itself in keeping with the times. Sometimes, this means that difficult decisions must be made," she explained in a statement at the time.
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