Last updated: 15.01.2024, 07:05 a.m.
By: Annemarie Göbbel
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Frederik X and his wife Mary are the new royal couple in Denmark. A poignant scene ensues on the balcony.
Copenhagen – Romeo and Juliet's balcony scene is a classic, but King Frederik's (55) and Queen Mary's (51) kiss will go down in history. After Queen Margrethe II of Denmark (83) surprisingly announced her resignation on New Year's Day, the time had finally come on January 14.
Queen Mary was eagerly awaited on the balcony next to Frederik X
After exactly 52 years, Frederik replaced his mother by virtue of his signature and shortly afterwards stepped onto the balcony of Christiansborg Palace in tears of emotion, where a breathlessly waiting crowd of thousands of Danes and royal fans from all over the world had gathered.
The emotions don't make waves for nothing. It is the first abdication of a Danish monarch in 900 years. When the outgoing queen signs the declaration of abdication at around 14 p.m., the change of throne takes place. About an hour later, Frederik steps out onto the balcony and is tearfully proclaimed king by Prime Minister Mette Frederikson (46), gives his first speech, names his motto.
Frenetic jubilation accompanies Frederik's and Mary's kiss as the royal couple
Then, finally, Queen Mary enters the balcony, the cheers swell and become deafening. The couple looks at each other and takes each other's hands. As a wife and mother of four, Mary knows exactly what is going on with Frederik now. Again and again, the king has to wipe the tears from the corner of his eye with the back of his hand.
A kiss is worth a thousand words: the declaration of love on the balcony of Frederik X and his wife Mary of Denmark is likely to go down in history. © Thomas Traasdahl/Imago
And then it happens: As if it wasn't enough, Mary's dress is white, like at a wedding, the couple kisses, seals their covenant with the kiss, almost publicly. Rumours had recently shaken the country that Frederik had had an affair. There were voices that said that Margrethe did not only choose the time to resign because of her ailing health. But now, at the latest, no one believes that the new royal couple is defiant of joint power and strength. Sources used: tv2.dk