Denmark has a new king after the historic abdication of Queen Margrethe II, the country's longest-reigning monarch.
Thousands of people gathered in central Copenhagen for the succession to the throne, as the 83-year-old queen handed the throne to her eldest son by signing a declaration in Parliament.
King Frederick X is now the head of Europe's oldest monarchy.
The former Crown Prince, 55, will be officially declared king by the Prime Minister on the balcony of Christiansborg Palace in the heart of the Danish capital.
Unlike the United Kingdom, there is no coronation ceremony Denmark.
Margaret The nation was stunned Her revenue reached nearly six million on New Year's Eve when she announced her decision to abdicate after 52 years as queen, becoming the first Danish queen to do so in nearly 900 years.
She cited health reasons after she underwent major back surgery last February.
Danish royal expert Thomas Larsen said: “The Queen has been here and has been on the throne for more than 50 years. She is a very respected and popular person, so people did not expect this and were in a state of shock.”
Karin Holke Jepsen, 31, a communications consultant who traveled to Copenhagen for the royal event, said: “I was shocked and started crying when the queen said on New Year's Eve that she would abdicate.
“It's very rare to witness a real historical moment that you know is going to be written about in the history books.”
The abdication of the throne comes 52 years after Margaret ascended the throne following the death of her father, King Frederick IX.
It leaves Denmark with two queens. Margaret will retain her title while Frederick's Australian-born wife will become Queen Mary.
Christian, the eldest son of Frederick and Marie, who is 18 years old, will become crown prince and heir to the throne.
The last time a Danish king resigned voluntarily was in 1146, when King Erik III Lamm stepped down to enter a monastery.
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The reign of Queen Margaret in Tire
Queen Margaret makes her final public appearance as Queen before abdicating
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“I will step down as Queen of Denmark.”
The origins of Denmark's monarchy go back to the ancient Viking king Gorm in the 10th century, making it the oldest in Europe and one of the oldest in the world.
Today, the duties of the royal family have become largely ceremonial.
The new king and queen will take the throne at a time of great public support and enthusiasm for the monarchy.
