Queen Margrethe II’s abdication means her son, Crown Prince Frederik, will become the next royal to sit on Denmark’s throne. The Queen, 83, shocked Europe in a surprise New Year’s Eve announcement today, ending her 52 years as the Danish head of state during a live television address.
The abdication isn’t immediate, as she won’t officially stand down until January 14, when she hands the reins to her 55-year-old son, who is next in the line of succession.
He has a wealth of experience, having long acted as Regent during his mother’s international visits and in other official capacities.
But he ignited a scandal earlier this year when he was spotted in Spain with a Mexican actress and socialite. In November, the Spanish magazine Lecturas published photographs showing the Crown Prince in Madrid with Genoveva Casanova, an actress famous for starring in the reality TV show Mask Singer: Adivina quién canta.
The two were seen strolling in a park, visiting an art exhibition, enjoying a meal, and watching flamenco dancing in pictures taken on October 25.
The seemingly innocent pictures triggered rumours of an “affair” that Ms Casanova swiftly denied. The Mexican model told Spanish magazine Hola! that she “flatly denied” any suggestion that she was involved in an affair.
She said: “I flatly deny the statements that suggest a romantic relationship between Prince Frederick and me. Any statement of this type is not only completely untrue but also distorts the facts in a malicious manner.”
The Danish royal family also issued a short statement but refused to comment on the allegations. A spokesman for the royals told national publication BT they “do not comment on rumours or insinuations”.
The Danish royals are reportedly unconcerned with the “breeze” whipped up by the controversy, with Queen Margrethe’s abdication having caused more of a stir both locally and internationally.
Crown Prince Frederik has stepped out in public following the rumours arm in arm with his wife of nearly 20 years, Mary, Crown Princess of Denmark.
And it now appears Prince Frederik will be focusing his efforts on becoming a well-received king in 2024, stepping into the 52-year-old shoes of his mother, now in her 80s, who has reigned since 1972.
Queen Margarethe cited in her speech the decision to step away from her duty due to an extensive back operation she had back in February. Her recovery also stopped her from attending King Charles’s coronation in the UK with both Prince Frederik and Princess Mary taking up the invitation on her behalf.