Denmark welcomes new King as Queen Margrethe II abdicates – BBC News

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Copyright: Reuters

Queen Margrethe has left Christiansborg by car having now formally abdicated.

Bells here are ringing out from
church towers around central Copenhagen.

The country was stunned when they
heard Queen Margrethe announce of her plans to step back, live
on television, during her traditional new year’s speech.

The move is virtually unprecedented
here in Denmark. The last time an abdication took place was nine centuries ago.

Most Danes have known no other Queen
or King in their lifetime.

However, the initial shock and
sadness has been followed by an outpouring of support and affection – and polls
showed that most Danes agreed with her decision.

Crowds have been lining the streets
across the city to wish her a fond farewell, and though it’s an emotional
moment, the mood here is celebratory.

At the last succession, when Queen Margrethe was crowned in 1972, she was dressed in black and still in
mourning following the the death of her father. This occasion is a much happier
one.

And now people are rushing forward
to get closer to Christiansborg to await the first glimpse of the new
King Frederik on the balcony.



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