Royal News

The programme for the Abdication of Queen Margrethe II and the Proclamation of King Frederik X

Sunday, January 14

At 13.35 The Crown Prince couple drives from Amalienborg
The Crown Prince couple and HRH Prince Christian drive by car from Frederik VIII’s Palace, Amalienborg to Christiansborg Castle.
Route: Frederiksgade, Bredgade, Kongens Nytorv, Holmens Kanal, Prins Jørgens Gård

At 13.37 HM The Queen travels in the coach from Amalienborg
H.M. The Queen rides in the carriage from Christian IX’s Palace, Amalienborg to Christiansborg Castle, escorted by the Horse Squadron of the Guardhussar Regiment.
Route: Frederiksgade, Bredgade, Kongens Nytorv, Holmens Kanal, Prins Jørgens Gård

At 14.00 Council of State at Christiansborg Castle
H.M. The Queen, HRH the Crown Prince and HRH Prince Christian participate together with the government and the Cabinet Secretary in the Council of State.
The change of throne takes place during the meeting of the Council of State at the moment when the Queen has signed a declaration of her abdication.

At 14.15 HM Queen Margrethe’s departure from Christiansborg Castle
H.M. Queen Margrethe drives to Christian IX’s Palace, Amalienborg.
Route: Prins Jørgens Gård, Holmens Bro, Holmens Kanal, Kongens Nytorv, Bredgade, Sankt Annæ Plads, Amaliegade, Amalienborg

At 14.30 The royal couple hold a reception for special guests at Christiansborg Castle

At 15.00 Proclamation from the balcony of Christiansborg Castle
H.M. King Frederik 10 steps out onto the balcony at Christiansborg Castle, after which the Prime Minister proclaims the change of throne.
The king speaks and concludes with the new royal motto.

At 15.10 Salute of honor from Battery Sixtus
After the proclamation, a salute is fired with 3 x 27 shots from Battery Sixtus on Holmen, Copenhagen.

At 15.10 The Royal Flag is taken down and re-raised at Amalienborg
After the, the Royal Flag is taken down at Christian IX’s Palace and raised at Frederik VIII’s Palace, Amalienborg.

At 15.30 The royal couple rides in the carriage from Christiansborg Castle
After the proclamation, the royal couple rides in the carriage escorted by the Guardhussar Regiment’s Horse Squadron from Christiansborg Castle to Frederik VIII’s Palace, Amalienborg.
Route: Prins Jørgens Gård, Holmens Bro, Holmens Kanal, Kongens Nytorv, Bredgade, Sankt Annæ Plads, Amaliegade, Amalienborg

At 17.00 Transfer of the royal banners
Transfer of the royal banners from Christian IX’s Palace to Frederik VIII’s Palace, Amalienborg.

Monday 15 January
At 10.00 Reception in the Folketing
The royal family participates in the Folketing’s celebration of the change of throne. During the meeting in the Folketingsalen, the Speaker of the Folketing and the Prime Minister speak, and in this connection the Prime Minister brings an oral message from the King to the Folketing. Afterwards, the royal family attends a reception in the Landstingsalen.

Sunday, January 21
At 14.00 Celebration service in Aarhus Cathedral
On the occasion of the change of throne, a celebration service will be held in Aarhus Cathedral with representatives of official Denmark and representatives from the city of Aarhus. The service is led by the royal confessor and bishop of Aarhus Diocese, Henrik Wigh-Poulsen.