Denmark to proclaim king as queen abdicates

People gather on Christiansborg Palace Square ahead of the proclamation of abdication of Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II. Pic/AP

Thousands of people will gather Sunday in downtown Copenhagen to witness a historic moment in one of the world's oldest monarchies.

Around 2 pm local time, Queen Margrethe II will sign her abdication at a meeting with the Danish Cabinet following over five decades of service. About an hour later, her 55-year-old son and crown prince will be proclaimed King Frederik X on the balcony of Christiansborg Palace in the Danish capital.

Margrethe, 83, will become the first Danish monarch to voluntarily relinquish the throne in nearly 900 years. Citing health issues, Margrethe announced on New Year's Eve that she would step down, stunning a nation that had expected her to live out her days on the throne, as is tradition in the Danish monarchy.

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