Denmark’s new King Frederik X visited the Danish parliament on Monday, marking his first official day in office. The visit came a day after his mother, Queen Margrethe, abdicated after 52 years of reign.
We begin our responsible work as Denmark’s king in the belief that the Danish parliament will meet us in joint work for the good of the kingdom.
The king made this statement through Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, as traditionally he does not speak directly to legislators. The monarch referred to himself as “we”, using what is known as the majestic plural.
Frederik, 55, and his Australian-born wife, Queen Mary, 51, arrived in Folketing in a royal limousine and were greeted by Parliamentary Speaker Søren Gade and other senior lawmakers.
Representatives from the Unity List party, who oppose the monarchy, were also present at the meeting. Yet they stood up when members of the royal family entered the room.
Large crowds greeted Frederik and Mary’s appearance on the balcony of Christiansborg Palace, which houses parliament and other institutions, on Sunday. The Prime Minister traditionally read the proclamation three times, with Frederik standing beside her in a ceremonial military uniform adorned with medals. People gathered in Parliament Square spontaneously sang the national anthem.
About 300,000 people took part in Sunday’s celebrations, Danish mobile phone operator “3” reported on Monday, citing data from phone masts around Christiansborg Palace, a nearby square and the royal residence of Amalienborg Palace.
When Margrethe became Queen in 1972, she also visited Parliament the day after she ascended the throne.
