Dennis Stenild, Kongehuset ©

A very significant move will signal the start of the reign of King Frederik X of Denmark.

Immediately after Queen Margrethe has signed the Declaration of Abdication, she will leave the chamber at Christiansborg Palace where the moment of history occurs during a Council of State. As she walks away, her son and successor will take a few steps around the table where he will assume the head place at the Council table.

This simple gesture will be the first visible sign of the reign of Frederik X.

Straight away afterwards, his elder son will also make a significant move. The brand new Crown Prince Christian will also move seats and occupy the chair to the right of the king, signifying his role as heir to the throne.

Queen Margrethe II is expected to leave Christiansborg Palace while this takes place.

The Council of State begins at 2pm on January 14th 2024 and Her Majesty is expected to have left by 2.15pm. The new king will be proclaimed by Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, from the balcony of Christiansborg Palace at 3pm that same day.

Margrethe II, Queen of Denmark, announced her intention to abdicate in favour of her son during her New Year’s Eve address in the final hours of 2023. She will give up the throne on January 14th 2024, the 52nd anniversary of her own accession.