Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II announces shock abdication in New Year’s Eve speech

Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II has announced her shock abdication in her traditional New Year’s speech. The monarch will be succeeded by her son, Crown Prince Frederik, on 14 January - 52 years to the day since she came to the throne following the death of her father, King Frederik IX, in 1972. The 83-year-old queen, well-known for her passion for dogs, illustration and fashion, is the current longest-serving monarch Europe. Click here to subscribe to The Independent: About The Independent: Making Change Happen. The Independent is the world’s most free-thinking newsbrand, providing global news, commentary and analysis for the independently-minded. Connect with The Independent: Check out our full video catalog: Videos, daily editorial and more: Click here to get the best of The Independent daily: Like The Indepen