Danish Royal House Announces New Titles amid Queen Margrethe's Shock Abdication

Mar. 15, 2025

Prince Vincent of Denmark, Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark, Prince Christian of Denmark, Queen Margrethe of Denmark, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, Princess Isabella of Denmark and Princess Josephine of Denmark at Amalienborg Palace on Prince Christian’s 18th birthday on Oct. 15, 2023.Photo:Patrick van Katwijk/Getty

Patrick van Katwijk/Getty

On Tuesday, courtiers released a statement about the title changes that will affectQueen Margrethe,Crown Prince Frederik,Crown Princess MaryandPrince Christian. The update comes after Queen Margrethe, 83,shockingly revealedin her New Year’s Address on Sunday that she will step down to abdicate on Jan. 14 after 52 years on the throne.

As expected, courtiers confirmed that Queen Margrethe’s eldest son and successor will be known as King Frederik, and his wife will be known as Queen Mary.

“On Sunday, 14 January 2024, HRH The Crown Prince assumes the Danish throne as HM King Frederik the 10th. At the same time, HRH The Crown Princess will be known as HM Queen Mary,” the Danish Royal Court said in astatement, per an English translation. “The Royal Couple will henceforth bear the title The King and The Queen of Denmark.”

Crown Princess Mary and Crown Prince Frederik at Amalienborg Palace on Jan. 1.Keld Navntoft / Ritzau Scanpix / AFP via Getty

Keld Navntoft / Ritzau Scanpix / AFP via Getty

“HRH Prince Christian becomes the heir to the throne and will henceforth be referred to as HRH Crown Prince Christian,” the palace continued, referring to Frederik and Mary’s 18-year-old son.

“After the succession to the throne, HM The Queen will continue to be Majesty and bear the title HM Queen Margrethe,” the statement concluded, clarifying Queen Margrethe’s royal styling after the abdication.

A second statement from the Danish Royal House on Tuesday gave another glimpse into what’s happening behind the scenes. Areleaseabout new leadership for The Royal House of Denmark amid the reign change revealed that the current Lord Chamberlain will become the Chief of Court for “the newly established Court of Her Majesty Queen Margrethe.”

Queen Margrethe of Denmark, Prince Christian of Denmark, and Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark on Prince Christian’s 18th birthday in October 2023.Patrick van Katwijk/Getty

Queen Margrethe’s abdication announcement on New Year’s Eve was highly unexpected, and longtime author and royal commentator Phil Dampier toldThe Telegraphit came as a shock to most Danes. Margrethe will reportedly become the first Danish sovereign to abdicate since 1523 and had previously hinted she intended to reign for life, and Damier speculated thedecision was drivento save the marriage of Frederik and Mary.

Crown Princess Mary, Crown Prince Frederik and Queen Margrethe attend the opening of the Danish Parliament at Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen on Oct. 3, 2023.MADS CLAUS RASMUSSEN/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty

MADS CLAUS RASMUSSEN/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty

In November 2023, reports swirled that the Crown Prince, 55, was having an affair with socialite Geneveva Casanova after they were photographed together during his private trip to Madrid. Casanovadenied allegationsof a romantic relationship with Frederik and the Crown Prince couple continued to display a united front — though Mary’s solo start to the holidays didn’t go unnoticed.

Prince Vincent, Princess Josephine, Crown Princess Mary, Crown Prince Frederik, Prince Christian and Prince Joachim arrive at the Christmas Eve service at Aarhus Cathedral on December 24, 2023.Johnny Pedersen / Ritzau Scanpix / AFP via Getty

Johnny Pedersen / Ritzau Scanpix / AFP via Getty

Frederik and Mary famously met in a bar in during the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, tied the knot in 2004 and went on to welcome four children: Prince Christian,Princess Isabella, 16, and 12-year-old twinsPrince VincentandPrincess Josephine.

Christian arrived as second in line to the Danish throne behind his father, and his 18th birthday in October was marked withplenty of royal pompbefitting a future King.

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While Queen Margrethe did not reference her grandson’s banner birthday or official coming of age in her New Year’s Address relating to her abdication, she emphasized her wish that the public will welcome her eldest son and his wife into their elevated royal roles.

“The support and assistance which I have received throughout the years, have been crucial to the success of my task. It is my hope that the new King and Queen will be met with the same trust and devotion which have fallen to my lot,” Queen Margrethe said on Sunday.

Queen Margrethe’s New Year’s Address on Dec. 31, 2023.Keld Navntoft / Ritzau Scanpix / AFP via Getty

“They deserve it! Denmark deserves it!,” she continued, signing off with salutations for a prosperous new year.

In an interesting twist, the shakeup comes one year after Queen Margrethe strippedfour of her eight grandchildren, the three sons and daughter of her second son, Prince Joachim, of the royal titles they inherited at birth.

Prince Joachim spoke out to the press about the way the situation was handled, claiming that he received “five days' notice” of the major shakeup and that his whole family was upset.

Queen Margrethelater madeanother statement saying she “underestimated” how the news would affect her second son and his kids, but she maintained that the plans were long in motion and stripping the royal titles was “necessary future-proofing of the monarchy.”

Prince Joachim of Denmark, Princess Marie of Denmark, Count Nikolai of Denmark, Count Felix of Denmark, Count Henrik of Denmark and Countess Athena of Denmark at the balcony of Amalienborg Palace on Queen Margrethe’s birthday in April 2023.Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Images

Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Images

source: people.com