Denmark's Queen Margrethe II abdicates

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Denmark's Queen has unexpectedly announced her abdication in her traditional New Year's Eve speech.

Margrethe II will formally step down from the throne on 14th January. That will be exactly 52 years to the day of her ascension to the throne in 1972.

The 83-year-old monarch will be succeeded by her eldest son, Crown Prince Frederik - who will become King Frederik X.

She is currently the longest serving monarch in Europe and the world's only female monarch.

 

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King Frederick X takes to the Throne of Denmark

King Frederick X has taken the Throne of Denmark on the day his mother Queen Margrethe II abdicated.

His Australian wife Crown Prince Mary has become Queen. She is the first Australian to ever become a senior royal.

The new King Frederick X waves from the balcony of Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen