Denmark's Queen Margrethe II announces abdication after 52-year reign

Queen Margrethe II announces abdication: Denmark's Queen Margrethe II, after over 50 years in power, has unexpectedly declared she will step down early in 2024.

Margrethe, 83, announced her intention to abdicate the throne to her son, Crown Prince Frederik, during her annual New Year's Eve address broadcast on Danish television.

She gave an example of her future beliefs, referring to a back operation she had in February 2023.

"In two weeks' time, I have been Queen of Denmark for 52 years. Such an amount will leave its mark on anybody--and also on me! The time takes its toll, and the number of 'ailments' increases. One cannot undertake as much as one managed in the past," the queen said.

The Danish queen revealed that she had "extensive back surgery" in February of this year, adding, "Everything went well, thanks to the competent health personnel who took care of me." "Inevitably, the operation prompted thoughts about the future, specifically whether now was an appropriate time to pass on responsibility to the next generation."

"I have decided that now is the right time," she went on to say.

"I will step down as Queen of Denmark on January 14, 2024, 52 years after succeeding my beloved father. I will hand over the throne to my son, Crown Prince Frederik," the queen announced.

Queen Margrethe II took the throne after King Frederik IX died on January 14, 1972.

Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom the previous year, Margrethe became Europe's longest-serving monarch.