The Danish Royal Family have shared some touching behind-the-scenes moments from yesterday’s proclaimation.
King Frederik, 55, officially ascended the throne yesterday afternoon after Queen Margrethe, 83, stepped down following her 52 year reign.
The former monarch signed her historic abdication papers with her son and grandson Prince Christian, 18, present in Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen.
The Queen’s last words before leaving the Council of State were: ‘God save the King.’
Following this, the new King addressed the crowds that had gathered outside the royal palace from the balcony.
Poignant behind-the-scenes footage posted on the Danish Royal Family’s Instagram page shows the moment Frederik nervously approached the balcony to make his first public appearance since becoming King.
The father-of-four – who was wearing his military regalia – took a deep breath as he looked to an aide for the go-ahead to walk onto the balcony.
From inside the Palace, Queen Mary – who was dressed in an elegant white dress by Soeren Le Schmidt for the occasion – is seen clinging to her daughter Princess Josephine.
The 13-year-old looked suitably smart in a black coat with gold buttons and her hair styled in a half-up, half-down fashion and secured with a bow.
While Prince Christian stood behind his mother and siblings, 16-year-old Princess Isabella – who was wearing a red coat – placed her hands lovingly on her younger brother Prince Vincent’s shoulders.
The footage then jumps to Queen Mary walking up to the balcony to join her husband in waving to the crowds of royal fans.
The pair looked overcome with emotion as they shared a loving look before then being joined by their four children.
From inside the Palace, King Frederik’s younger brother Prince Joachim – whose four children were stripped of their royal titles in January 2023 – pensively took in the scene unfolding on the balcony.
Pictured: Queen Mary, 51, pictured clinging onto her daughter Princess Josephine, 16, who looked smart in a black coat and pearls
King Frederik’s younger brother Prince Joachim – whose children were stripped of their royal titles last year – looked pensive as he watched the emotional balcony scene from inside the Palace
The footage then jumps to Queen Mary walking up to the balcony to join her husband in waving to the crowds of royal fans
The royal, 54, attended the ceremony without the support of his wife Princess Marie and their two children, Count Henrik, 14, and Countess Athena of Monpezat, 11.
After Queen Margrethe stripped her grandchildren of their royal titles, Joachim and his second wife relocated to Washington DC – where the royal works as defence industry attaché at the Embassy of Denmark – with their children.
Tensions first arose in the Danish royal household after the monarch decided to strip four of her grandchildren of their HRH titles in 2022. She subsequently apologised about the timing of the announcement but stood by the move.
Joachim had spoken out against his mother’s decision in the days that followed – claiming that his two children, Counts Nikolai, 24, and Felix, 21 – born from his first marriage to Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg – and Henrik and Athena, had been ‘harmed’ in the process.
The pair looked overcome with emotion as they shared a loving look before then being joined by their four children
The former monarch signed her historic abdication papers with her son and grandson Prince Christian, 18, present in Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen
Poignant behind-the-scenes footage posted on the Danish Royal Family’s Instagram page shows the moment Frederik nervously approached the balcony to make his first public appearance since becoming King
Months later, the sixth-in-line to the throne said that ‘communication was missing’ within the Royal Family in the lead-up to the shock announcement.
Joachim told Danish tabloid B.T.: ‘There is a lot to work on. Communication was what was missing. Now we have met and we are on the right track.’
Ahead of the proclamation, a palace spokesperson said: ‘Prince Joachim will be there, but the children go to school, there is no special reason.’
They then added that Queen Margrethe’s youngest son will leave Denmark the following day to return to his home in the US.
The behind-the-scenes footage from the proclamation amassed over 260,000 ‘likes’ on Instagram – with the Royal Household captioning the clip: ‘Long live the King!’
Queen Margrethe became the first Danish monarch to abdicate for 900 years when she stepped down as monarch yesterday.
The former Queen’s emotional last words before leaving the Council of State were: ‘God save the King.’
King Frederik Queen Mary of Denmark ride in a coach past the the crowd of wellwishers back to Amalienborg Palace after a declaration of the King’s accession to the throne
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen proclaims Danish King Frederik’s accession to the throne from the balcony of Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen
King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark share a kiss on the balcony of Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen
On Saturday night, the Royal – who announced she was stepping down on New Year’s Eve – listened to the public singing to her on the eve of her abdication.
Danish royalists took to the streets of Copenhagen this weekend and waved red and white flags to honour their beloved Queen Margrethe.
A video posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, captured the public singing to Margrethe outside Amalienborg, Margrethe’s winter residence last night.
One of the windows to the palace was left wide open, so that she could hear those who came to sing to her.
People pass an image of Queen Margrethe in Copenhagen, Denmark, ahead of of her passing on the throne to her son on Sunday
The Queen, known for her chain-smoking and flamboyant style – was seen on the clip walking around her home and peering out at the crowd.
Margrethe, who in the past had said she would remain on the throne for life, did not give an exact reason for her decision to step down.
However, she said that a major back surgery she underwent in February last year had made her consider her future.
‘The surgery naturally gave rise to thinking about the future – whether the time had come to leave the responsibility to the next generation,’ she said in her speech.
‘I have decided that now is the right time. On January 14, 2024, 52 years after I succeeded my beloved father, I will step down as Queen of Denmark.
‘I leave the throne to my son, Crown Prince Frederik.’