on 7/1/2024, 3:11:51, in reply to "Re: Christiansborg in January - and possible Absences?"
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What i was trying to bring across is that Beatrix of the Netherlands was somewhat surprised but also humbled by the honest gratitude people expressed to her. Im certain the Danes feel just as grateful to Margrethe and i would have liked some more time between her announcement and the actual transition so the Danes get the chance to express that gratitude.
At the same time Queen Margrethe announced her abdication. That is something new in Denmark so you cannot compare it to previous successions. However in several other monarchies (Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain) we have seen abdications so we can look at them to see options.
Fortunately she is not dying just accepting that she has come to an age where passing on the responsibilities to the younger generation feels to her like the right move to make. That means we don't have to mourn her but simply get to celebrate her long and successful reign.
Considering the fact that the Danish court has been so good at gala events hosting one in honour of the Queen who steps down after 52 years would have been nice in my view. Previous Message
Why compare apples and oranges? In this case, comparing Netherlands to Denmark when in fact the former has a "tradition" of auto-abdication at around 79 whereas Denmark like most *normal* monarchies see it as a duty to stay on a throne "till death do us part". A vow is a vow, and should be, except in very extenuating circumstances. Also, in Denmark the monarch is not only the head of state but the head of his/her house and the ultimate authority on what happens insdie that family as far as titles, as Margrethe's most recent years have proven. "Fons honorum" is really the fount of all honors, and no doubletalk about "well the parliamentary committee must decide blah blah". And well done too that she stripped those Manley grand-kids and their mother of the princely title without having to ask anyone else's "permission" either. "Quod erat...demonstrandum!" Previous Message
I would have liked some gathering and event at friday or saturday evening to honour Margrethe's work for and dedication to her nation. That would leave Sunday to be the day of Frederik X.
Ideally a theatre event on saturday for Margrethe and a gala banquet for Frederik on sunday but i get that would be expecting a bit too much.
When Beatrix abdicated in 2013 there was a dinner for her the day before the abdication. In the months between Beatrix announcing she was going to step down on January 31st and the actual abdication and investiture on april 30th there were several moments where the public took the opportunity to show their gratitude towards her. There were lots of people chanting Bea Bedankt (meaning Thank you Beatrix). I think she was surprised by that and it was good to see her taking that in. I would very much like Margrethe to feel something similar. As Queen Margrethe hosted some of the most regal and glittering events we've seen in the last 50 years. It would be nice to see her shine once more as the centre of such an event. Previous Message
So...are you suggesting that Q. Margrethe must have some sort of farewell celebration or banquet, and then together with the fact that her grandson Christian has already had his 18th birthday banquet - but on the other hand, the new king Frederik X must remain invisible and unacknowledged and uncelebrated except for a little 2 min. balcony appearance? Previous Message
I don't think i've seen other members of the family attending Margrethe's proclamation other than her husband.
With prince Christian already having been installed in the state council he might attend as well. I doubt his brother will still be in Copenhagen next week unless it's to argue with him to restore his kids' titles. Or tell the media (again) what Unfortunate Victims they are.
The rest of the family might have to wait at Amalienborg for a second balcony appearance after a carriage ride from Christiansborg to Amalienborg.
I do hope they manage to squeeze in a special event on saturdaynight to celebrate Margrethe's reign. If that is the case im sure Joachim and Marie will also attend and probably all 8 grandchildren as well as the 2 sisters of the Queen.
It feels odd to see the queen leave without a good sent off. Previous Message
Thank you again - it looks like this description of the accession events for Margrethe II will be the logical blueprint for planning the accession day of the future Frederik X. Of course, the other dimension that might be needed to take into account, is the present-day familial situation, and how that affects who will - or will not - be in attendance. Namely of course, the future king's brother Joachim, presently in the Wash. DC area? Who has made no public statement or indicaation of his intention to attend any accession event for in Copenhagen this month? Or his ex-wife and their sons. Previous Message
In Merete Wilkenschildt's book "Kongeligt leksikon" (2000) I found some information about the proclamations of Queen Margrethe and her predecessors:
Queen Margrethe stepped out onto the balcony TOGETHER with Prime Minister Jens Otto Krag. This was a deviation from previous proclamations, where the new king had first stepped out onto the balcony AFTER the proclamation. Prime Minister Jens Otto Krag shouted three times in three directions: "King Frederik IX is dead. Long live Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II." Afterwards, the Queen delivered a short speech (this has been the custom since the proclamation of Christian X), and announced her motto.
The tradition of royal proclamations dates back to the absolute monarchy - it was first mentioned in connection with the death of Christian V in 1699, and at the death of Christian VI in 1746 it took the form used also under the constitutional monarchy.
The last time a king was proclaimed with the participation of heralds and the fanfare of drums and trumpets was at the proclamation of Frederik VII in 1848. At the proclamation of Christian IX from the balcony of Christiansborg Palace in 1863, it was the first time heralds did not ride in a procession afterwards and repeated the proclamation in the city squares.
Under the constitutional monarchy, the proclamation has become the only public, ceremonial marking of the new monarch's accession to the throne.
In 1906 and 1912, the proclamation, however, took place from the balcony of Christian VII's Palace at Amalienborg because the reconstruction of Christiansborg Palace after the fire in 1884 had not yet been completed. In 1947 and in 1972, the proclamation again took place at Christiansborg Palace.
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