close
Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what’s clicking on Foxnews.com.
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark announced that she is abdicating her position in the new year after nearly 52 years on the throne.
During her New Year’s Eve speech, Margrethe II, 86, said that she plans to step down on Jan. 14. The date marks the anniversary of her own ascension to the throne in 1972, following the death of her father, King Frederik IX.
“I have decided that now is the right time,” she said in her speech, explaining that back surgery she had earlier this year led to “thoughts about the future.”
Her son, Frederik André Henrik Christian, will ascend the throne after her abdication.
DENMARK SCORES WIN IN LEGAL BATTLE WITH ISLAMIST FIGHTER WHO CLAIMS HE SPIED ON COUNTRY’S BEHALF
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark gives a New Year’s speech Sunday from Christian IX’s Palace, Amalienborg Castle, in Copenhagen, Denmark, announcing her upcoming abdication (Keld Navntoft/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images)
The octogenarian is Europe’s longest-reigning living monarch. She is one of the most popular figures in Denmark, often seen chain-smoking or roaming around the country unescorted.
At the age of 70, she traveled to Afghanistan to visit Danish troops and wore a military jumpsuit during the meeting.
DENMARK BANS DESECRATION OF RELIGIOUS TEXTS AS TENSIONS FLARE OVER QURAN BURNINGS
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark arrives with Count Felix of Monpezat and other members of the Danish royal family for High Mass at Aarhus Cathedral, Denmark, on Christmas Day. (Photo by Mikkel Berg Pedersen/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images)
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen released a statement about the surprise news, thanking the monarch “for her lifelong dedication and tireless efforts for the Kingdom.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II (Ida Marie Odgaard/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images)
“Queen Margrethe is the epitome of Denmark and throughout the years has put words and feelings into who we are as a people and as a nation,” Frederiksen said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Andrea Vacchiano is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. You can follow her on X at @andrea_vacch or send story tips to andrea.vacchiano@fox.com.
New research suggests Mars could have enough water under its surface to form a global…
The Perseid meteor shower peaks late Sunday night, and given that it will be paired…
An Italian-led team of scientists say they have confirmed evidence of a sizable cave on…
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., is now threatening to force a vote on a measure…
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer took to social media to call out critics who say President…
Former Iowa Senator Tom Harkin, who served with President Biden in Congress for over 20…