Queen Margrethe II of Denmark Abdicates, Crown Princess Mary to Become First Australian-born Queen

The abdication, set for January 14, marks the end of Queen Margrethe's 52-year reign and ushers in a new era for the Danish monarchy.

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark announced her abdication on New Year's Eve, marking the end of her 52-year reign.
Crown Prince Frederik, Margrethe's eldest son, will ascend to the throne, making his wife, Crown Princess Mary, the first Australian-born Queen.
The abdication, set for January 14, is a rare move in Denmark, with the last one occurring in 1146.
Queen Margrethe II's decision to abdicate was influenced by a successful back surgery, which led her to contemplate the future of the monarchy.
Crown Princess Mary, originally from Tasmania, Australia, has gained a following for her commitment to social causes through The Mary Foundation.