Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II Announces Abdication in New Year’s Eve Speech

Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II announced Sunday that she plans to leave the throne to make way for her son, Crown Prince Frederik.

Transcript

00:00 I have been a Danish Queen for 52 years.

00:05 So long time doesn't go without any human, nor me.

00:10 Time is passing and the bad things are increasing.

00:14 You don't get over the same things as you could once.

00:18 In February this year I went through a extensive back surgery.

00:25 This went well thanks to the good health care staff that took care of me.

00:30 The surgery also gave me the opportunity to think about the future.

00:36 If not, time was over to take responsibility for the next generation.

00:42 I have decided that now is the right time.

00:53 On January 14, 2024, 52 years after I had followed my beloved father,

01:00 I will return as the Queen of Denmark.

01:04 I will hand over the throne to my son, Crown Prince Frederik.

01:08 I will end my last New Year's speech with the words I always say.

01:13 God save Denmark.

01:16 God save us all.

01:20 The Queen has fulfilled her duty with a care, a wealth of talents and a joy of work like no other.

01:29 Tonight I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Her Majesty.

01:37 Dear Queen Margrethe,

01:40 what you have achieved in almost 52 years is a unique achievement.

01:49 Their significance cannot be overestimated.

01:53 They have been our anchor when the wind has blown,

01:57 our conscience in life's important questions,

02:01 our leaders in the years when Denmark of the future was rising.

02:07 They have been our meeting point in the near and difficult.