Did Queen Margrethe of Denmark Abdicate to Save Son Prince Frederik's Marriage amid Affair Rumors?

Mar. 15, 2025

Queen Margretheof Denmark’sshock abdication announcementhas some speculating that the decision was driven to save the marriage of her sonCrown Prince FrederiktoCrown Princess Mary.

Queen of Denmark, 83, revealed in her New Year’s Eve speech that she is stepping down as sovereign on Jan. 14 — an unexpected move that may have been made to bolster Frederik and Mary’s bond. In November 2023, reports swirled that the Crown Prince, 55, was having an affair with Mexican-born 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 while hostingKing FelipeandQueen Letiziaof Spain.

“It’s possible that the Queen took this action because she would have been terrified of the marriage breaking up and the royal family losing Mary. It would have caused major problems. The Queen has always seen Mary as a tremendous asset,” longtime author and royal commentator Phil Dampier toldThe Telegraphof Queen Margrethe’s abdication announcement. The outlet noted that Queen Margrethe will become the first Danish monarch to step down in over 500 years and that she previously hinted she intended to reign for life, like her third cousinQueen Elizabeth, who reigned over 70 years until her death in Sept. 2022.

Queen Margrethe’s New Year’s Address on Dec. 31, 2023: Crown Princess Mary and Crown Prince Frederik at Amalienborg Palace on Jan. 1.Keld Navntoft / Ritzau Scanpix / AFP via Getty; Patrick van Katwijk/Getty

Keld Navntoft / Ritzau Scanpix / AFP via Getty; Patrick van Katwijk/Getty

“It just seems an extraordinary coincidence that she should make this unexpected announcement just a couple of months after stories emerged of the Crown Prince supposedly having an affair,” continued Dampier, who has covered the Danish royal family for over 20 years. “In two weeks’ time, the Prince and Princess will be pitched together as King and Queen and they will have to get on with it. The Queen may be thinking that they will patch up their differences and it will save their marriage.”

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

Queen Margrethe, Prince Frederik and Princess Mary, 51, seemed to be in good spirits when they stepped out on Monday night for the New Year’s banquet at Amalienborg Castle in Copenhagen. Queen Margrethe gave a wave as she entered the palace, while Frederik and Mary, who have four children, smiled as they arrived together — their first public appearance since the Queen’s abdication announcement.

Queen Margrethe at Amalienborg Palace on Jan. 1.Patrick van Katwijk/Getty

Patrick van Katwijk/Getty

On Dec. 31, thelongest-reigning monarchin Danish history announced that she would abdicate on Jan. 14, 2024 — the 52nd anniversary of her accession. Margrethe acceded to the throne at age 31 in 1972 following the sudden death of her father King Frederik IX, and referred to both her record reign andback surgerylast winter in prefacing the news.

“In two weeks time I have been Queen of Denmark for 52 years. Such an amount will leave its mark on anybody – also on me! The time takes its toll, and the number of ‘ailments’ increases. One cannot undertake as much as one managed in the past,” Queen Margrethe began her traditionalNew Year Address, per an English translation.

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

“In February this year I underwent extensive back surgery. Everything went well, thanks to the competent health personnel, who took care of me. Inevitably, the operation gave cause to thoughts about the future – whether now would be an appropriate time to pass on the responsibility to the next generation,” she continued. “I have decided that now is the right time. On 14th January, 2024 – 52 years after I succeeded my beloved father – I will step down as Queen of Denmark. I will hand over the throne to my son Crown Prince Frederik.”

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 the balcony of Amalienborg Palace for Prince Christian’s birthday on Oct. 15, 2023.Patrick van Katwijk/Getty

Denying the buzz, Casanova toldHola!, “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. This is already in the hands of my lawyers, who will take care of the pertinent steps to protect my right to honor, truth and privacy.”

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

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Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Maryfirst metat a bar in Sydney, Australia in 2000, where Frederik was visiting for the Summer Olympics. Mary Donaldson, an Australian advertising executive, found herself chatting to “Fred” and instantly hit it off. The couple dated long-distance before getting engaged and married at Copenhagen Cathedral in 2004, and they went on to welcome four children: Prince Christian,Princess Isabella, 16, and 12-year-old twinsPrince VincentandPrincess Josephine.

As full-time working royals, the couple support Queen Margrethe and the crown through royal engagements and many patronages.

In closing her New Year’s Address, Queen Margrethe thanked Parliament and the public for supporting her through the years and stressed that she hopes her eldest son and his wife are welcomed 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,” she said on Sunday. “They deserve it! Denmark deserves it!,” she continued, signing off with salutations for a blessed new year.

source: people.com