The Change of Thrones

Today, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark will abdicate after 52 years on
the throne. In the afternoon Frederik will become the new King and
Mary the new Queen.

Foto: Hasse Nielsen

In Europe this is the 6th. change of throne within 11 years. 

It all started with Pope Benedict XVI. He was Pope from 19 April 2005
untill his resignation on 28 February 2013. He was succeeded by
Pope Francis.

Beeld: ©RVD - Gemmy Woud-Binnendijk

Meanwhile in a broadcast on national media on 28 January 2013, Beatrix
announced her intention to abdicate on 30 April (Queen's Day), when
she would have been on the throne for exactly 33 years. Beatrix stated
that it was time to "place the responsibility for the country in the hands
of a new generation".

The official program for the abdication and inauguration took place
on 30 April 2013. Beatrix signed the instrument of abdication in the
Vroedschapkamer (also known as Mozeszaal) in the Royal Palace,
Amsterdam at 10:07 a.m. local time.

With the completion of her signature, she was no longer monarch.
The inauguration of Willem-Alexander as king took place that
afternoon in the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam.

Another surprise came from Belgium. On 3 July 2013, 79-year-old King
Albert II attended a midday session of the Belgian cabinet, where he revealed his
intention to abdicate to Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo and to the deputy
prime ministers. 

This came less than one month after the king and two of his children had
been asked to appear in court by the Belgian sculptor Delphine Boël,
who was intent on proving that the king was her biological father. 

According to a letter sent by the King to the Prime Minister and
dated 3 July 2013, and which was made public, the King had
already broached the topic of his intention to abdicate several
times with the Prime Minister, who had asked him to reconsider it. 

At 6 pm (CET) the King announced in a recorded radio and television
speech that on 21 July, Belgium's National Day, he would abdicate the
throne for health reasons. He was succeeded by his elder son, Philippe.

Other news came from Madrid in Spain. On the morning of 2 June 2014,
Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy made a televised announcement that the
King had told him of his intention to abdicate. Later, the King delivered
a televised address and announced that he would abdicate the throne in
favour of the Prince of Asturias. 

Royal officials described the King's choice as a personal decision which
he had been contemplating since his 76th birthday at the start of the year.

As required by the Spanish constitution, any abdication would be settled
by means of an organic law. A draft law was passed with 299 in favour,
19 against and 23 abstaining. 

On 18 June, he signed the organic law passed by parliament several hours
before his abdication took effect. 

Felipe was enthroned on 19 June 2014, and Juan Carlos's granddaughter
Leonor became the new Princess of Asturias. 

Juan Carlos was the fourth European monarch to abdicate in just over a
year, following Pope Benedict XVI (28 February 2013), Queen Beatrix
of the Netherlands (30 April 2013), and King Albert II of Belgium (21 July 2013).

On 8 September 2022, Buckingham Palace released a statement which read:
"Following further evaluation this morning, the Queen's doctors are concerned
for Her Majesty's health and have recommended she remain under medical
supervision. The Queen remains comfortable and at Balmoral."

It was for us royalty watchers a sign to put the television on and to follow the
BBC very well.

She died peacefully at 15:10 BST at the age of 96. Her death was announced
to the public at 18:30, setting in motion Operation London Bridge and,
because she died in Scotland, Operation Unicorn.
Elizabeth was the first monarch to die in Scotland since James V in 1542.

screenshot

Queen Elizabeth was succeeded by her eldest son, Charles. His coronation 
took place on 6 May 2023.

Only in Norway and in Sweden there wasn't a throne change.
Norway’s 86-year-old King Harald V, who has been hospitalized several
times in recent months, has not indicated he’s considering abdicating in favor
of his son, Crown Prince Haakon.

Neither has Sweden’s 77-year-old King Carl XVI Gustaf, who last year
celebrated 50 years on the throne.