Denmark gets a new Head of State on 14 January 2024: Embassy of Denmark in Vietnam
On December 31, 2023, the Queen of Denmark, in her New Year's Address, announced her intention to abdicate and hand over the throne to the Crown Prince Frederik on 14th January 2024.
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| The Crown Prince Frederik assumes the Danish throne as His Majesty King Frederik the 10th. (Source: Embassy of Denmark in Vietnam) |
The Queen's 52-year reign is the longest by any Monarch in Danish history. She took on the role of Queen at the age of 31 in 1972 when her father, King Frederik IX, passed away. Since then, the Queen has been a beloved and respected figure and representative for Denmark. When the Queen abdicates at the Council of State on Sunday 14 January 2024, it will be the first time in nearly 900 years that an abdication has taken place in Denmark, and it will be an extraordinary and historic event.
The Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, issued a statement thanking the Queen for her "lifelong dedication and tireless efforts for the Kingdom" adding "Queen Margrethe is the epitome of Denmark and throughout the years has embodied who we are as a people and as a nation"
The succession of the throne will take place on Sunday 14 January 2024 at 20:00 hours (Hanoi time) during the Council of State meeting, when the Queen has signed the declaration of abdication. The Crown Prince assumes the Danish throne as His Majesty King Frederik the 10th. At the same time, the Crown Princess will be known as Her Majesty Queen Mary. The Royal Couple will henceforth bear the title The King and Queen of Denmark.
At 21:00 hours (Hanoi time), King Frederik X will step out on the balcony of Christiansborg Palace, and the Prime Minister will proclaim His Majesty’s accession to the throne. After the proclamation, 3 x 27 shots will be fired from the Sixtus Battery on Holmen, Copenhagen, in salute.
Upon the succession to the Throne, the new sovereign will take charge of all of the functions that, according to the Constitution of the Kingdom of Denmark, are incumbent on the Head of State.
"The Kingdom will have a new Regent and a new King and Queen. We can look forward to this knowing that they are ready for the responsibility and the task." said Prime Minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen.
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| In November 2022, the Crown Prince Frederik paid a third official visit to Vietnam on the occasion of the 51th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Denmark and Vietnam. (Source: Embassy of Denmark in Vietnam) |
The Danish Royal Family has close roots in and a special relation with Vietnam as the late Prince Consort, father of the coming King Frederik X of Denmark, spent part of his childhood and youth in Vietnam. In 2009, the Queen paid a state visit to Vietnam together with the late Prince Consort, Henrik, and the Crown Prince Couple.
In November 2011, the Crown Prince visited Vietnam for the second time. Most recently, in November 2022, the Crown Prince Couple paid a third official visit to Vietnam on the occasion of the 51th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Denmark and Vietnam.
Under the theme "Creating a greener future together", the Crown Prince Couple led a business delegation consisting of more than 30 Danish companies with cutting-edge technology and know-how on green transition and visited Hanoi, Hai Phong, Ha Nam, Ho Chi Minh City and Binh Duong.
To celebrate the historic transfer of the Throne, the Embassy of Denmark in Vietnam will open a congratulatory book to the public in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. People who would like to leave a thank you note to HM Queen Margrethe and congratulate HM King Frederik X can visit the Embassy at floor 7, BIDV tower, 194 Trần Quang Khai, Hanoi and/or the Danish Economic and Commercial Office at floor 5, CENTC tower, 72-74 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, district 3, Ho Chi Minh city during the opening hours from Jan 15th to Jan 26th 2024.
In addition, the Embassy will host an online quiz on the history of the Danish Monarchy and the special bond between the Danish Royal Family and Vietnam in the coming days to commemorate the event.
