Prince Frederik X and Australian-born Princess Mary have been proclaimed King and Queen of Denmark on the balcony of Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen on Sunday.
According to ABC News, Mary is the first Australian queen to reign over a European country.
The succession came two weeks after Queen Margrethe II announced on New Year’s Eve her decision to abdicate after 52 years of service.
On Sunday, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen declared Frederik’s ascension three times, as the 55-year-old stood beside her wearing a ceremonial military uniform. Queen Mary, 51, and the couple’s four children, then joined him on the balcony as the crowd spontaneously sang the national anthem.
“My hope is to become a unifying king of tomorrow,” Frederik said in his first speech as King.
He then kissed the new Queen, and another great cheer rose from the crowd.
Frederik married Tasmanian law graduate and former real estate agent, Mary Elizabeth Donaldson, in 2004 after a chance encounter at a Sydney pub four years earlier.
The royal couple will continue to reside with Margrethe, who will retain her title as Queen, in Amalienborg.
Source: ABC News.
