Queen Margrethe II formally abdicates

King Frederik X has taken the throne, following the formal abdication of his mother, Queen Margrethe II. Margrethe II has just signed the instrument of abdication, passing the crown to her son. There will be no formal crowning ceremony for Crown Prince Frederik. He will become King of Denmark and head of state in the country as well as in Greenland and the Faroe Islands. On the first day of their reign, Mary and Frederik and the entire royal family will participate in the Danish Parliament’s formal celebration of the succession of the throne. The new King and Queen will also be marked spiritually in a celebratory church service at Aarhus Cathedral on Sunday.