In a surprise move Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II has announced she will abdicate her role early 2024, after a reign lasting more than five decades.

Margrethe, 83, will hand over the throne to her son, Crown Prince Frederik, she said in her traditional New Year’s Eve speech broadcast on Danish television.

She cited a back surgery in February 2023 as giving her thoughts about the future.

“In two weeks’ time I have been Queen of Denmark for 52 years,” she said.

“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,” she added.

“In February this year I underwent extensive back surgery,” she said. “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.

“I have decided that now is the right time,” she said.

“On Jan. 14, 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.”

Queen Margrethe II took over the throne Jan. 14, 1972 following the death of King Frederik IX.

After the death of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II last year Margrethe became the longest-serving monarch in Europe.

Prince Frederik will take over the throne as His Majesty King Frederik X in January, the Danish prime minister’s office said in a statement.

His wife, Australian-born Princess Mary, will become Queen Consort — the first Australian to ever ascend to the role.

The couple famously met in a Sydney bar during the 2000 Olympics and her admirers watched from afar as she joined the ranks of the Danish royals.

Princess Mary’s rise to the throne will ensure a large audience for the ceremony from her former home in Hobart, Tasmania, where she worked as a real estate sales executive before meeting the prince.

On Jan. 14, after a meeting in the council of state, the prime minister will proclaim the change of throne at Christiansborg Castle. The Queen will continue to be titled as Her Majesty following the handover.

Denmark’s royals have a limited role under the country’s constitution, with power resting with parliament. Monarchs play an important ambassadorial role as well as signing off on new legislation.

Margrethe has throughout her life enjoyed broad support from Danes, Reuters reports.(SD-Agencies)

Words to Learn 相关词汇

【王位】wángwèi throne the state of being a ruler

【下台】xiàtái step down leave an important job

丹麦女王玛格丽特二世已统治丹麦五十多年，她出人意料地宣布将在2024年初退位。

在丹麦电视台播出的传统新年前夕致辞中，现年83岁的玛格丽特表示将传位给儿子弗雷德里克王储。

她说，2023年2月经历的背部手术让她考虑未来的计划。

“再过两周我就即位52年了。” 她补充说：“这么长的岁月在任何人身上都会留下印记，对我也是如此！时间让我们付出代价，病痛随之增加。人无法像年轻时那样承担繁重的工作。”

她说：“2023年2月我接受了背部大手术。多亏称职的医护人员对我悉心照顾，一切都很顺利。这次手术不可避免地让我考虑未来的计划 —— 是否到了交班的时候？”

她接着说：“我认为现在是合适的时机。2024年1月14日，也就是在我接替我敬爱的父亲52年之后，我将卸任丹麦女王一职，把王位传给我的儿子弗雷德里克王储。”

丹麦国王弗雷德里克九世去世后，玛格丽特二世于1972年1月14日继位。

去年英国女王伊丽莎白二世去世后，玛格丽特成为欧洲在位时间最长的君主。

丹麦首相办公室在一份声明中说，弗雷德里克王储将于1月接任王位，成为国王弗雷德里克十世。

他的妻子、出生于澳大利亚的玛丽王妃将成为王后 —— 这是有史以来第一位成为丹麦王后的澳大利亚人。

2000年奥运会期间，这对夫妇在悉尼的一家酒吧相识，她的拥趸们远远地看着她加入丹麦王室的行列。

因为玛丽王妃的缘故，王位继承典礼将吸引大批来自澳大利亚塔斯马尼亚州霍巴特的观礼者，那是她的故乡，遇到王子之前她在霍巴特干过房地产销售主管的工作。

1月14日，在国务委员会会议之后，首相将在克里斯蒂安堡宣布王位更替。

王位交接后，女王将继续被尊称为女王陛下。

丹麦宪法规定权力属于议会，王室的作用有限。君主的职能主要是外交礼仪方面的，并签署新法令。

据路透社报道，玛格丽特一生都得到丹麦人的广泛爱戴。

(Translated by Debra)