Queen Margrethe II of Denmark traveled through the country's capital in a gilded horse-drawn carriage, wrapping up her New Year celebrations and making her last public appearance as queen before abdicating the throne this month.
Europe's longest-serving queen will step down on Sunday, January 14, exactly 52 years to the day she ascended the throne in 1972.
The 83-year-old queen will be succeeded by her eldest son, Crown Prince Frederick, who will become Frederick X.
Her resignation is the first in Europe's oldest ruling monarchy in nearly 900 years.
On Thursday, the Queen walked through the streets of Copenhagen as thousands of people braved the freezing weather to cheer her on.
The Queen waves to well-wishers. Pic: Emil Nicolai Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP
She will step down as Queen of Denmark next week. Pic: Emil Nicolai Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP
The Queen announced her abdication in her New Year's Eve speech. Pic: Emil Nicolai Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP
A hussar regiment accompanies the queen. Pic: Emil Nicolai Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP
The so-called golden coach – a 19th-century carriage covered in 24-carat gold leaf and topped with four gilded crowns on the roof – was pulled by six white horses and accompanied by members of the hussar regiment.
The bus is used when the King rides from the royal residence at Amalienborg Palace to Christiansborg Palace during the traditional New Year's celebration.
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Queen Margaret II enjoyed a ride on the so-called Golden Bus on Thursday
Christiansborg Palace, which is used for official royal events such as banquets and public audiences, also houses the Danish Parliament, the Prime Minister's Office and the Supreme Court of Denmark.
It is located just over half a mile from Amalienborg.
Earlier this week, the Queen held a series of events to welcome the Danish government, parliament, senior civil and military officials and foreign diplomats.
Queen Margaret arrives at a traditional New Year's Eve party. Pic: Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix via AP
Danish Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary. Pic: Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix via AP
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The Queen will sign her formal abdication next Sunday at the Council of State – a meeting with the Danish government – making Frederik, 55, and his Australian-born wife, Mary, 51, king and queen. Denmark.
Although monarchs in many European countries have abdicated to allow younger royals to assume power, there is no such tradition in Denmark.
For years, the Queen insisted she would not resign. However, her health has changed that.
In which Annual televised New Year's speech On New Year's Eve, the Queen said back surgery in early 2023 had led to “thoughts about the future” and when the responsibilities of the crown would be transferred to her son.
“I decided now was the right time,” she said.
