Queen Margrethe of Denmark.Photo: Tim Rooke/Shutterstock

Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II

Queen Margrethe of Denmark’s historicabdicationmarks the end of a royal era.

This means that all of Europe’s monarchs are now male.

After the U.K.‘sQueen Elizabethdied at age 96in 2022, Queen Margrethe was the last remaining female monarch ruling in Europe. She became the first woman allowed to inherit the throne in her country after the 1953 Act of Succession “gave women the right of succession to the Danish Throne… however only secondarily,” according toDenmark’s official website. The Act of Succession was amended again in 2009, “when full equality in the succession to the throne was introduced,” per Denmark’s website. “That means the regent’s oldest child — regardless of gender — inherits the throne (so-called primogeniture).”

Queen Margrethe of Denmark and Queen Elizabeth of the U.K. in 2000.Anwar Hussein/WireImage

Queen Elizabeth II and Queen Margrethe of Denmark welcome guests at reception hosted by the Danish Queen at The Natural History Museum on February 17, 2000 (Photo by Anwar Hussein/WireImage)

While there are only male monarchs at the moment, Europe has severalwomen in line for the throne.

Sweden’s CrownPrincess Victoria, Belgium’s Princess Elisabeth, the Netherlands’ Princess Catharina-Amalia and Spain’s Princess Leonor are all current heirs to their fathers. Meanwhile, Princess Estelle is second in the line f succession behind her mother in Sweden and Princess Ingrid Alexandra is set to become queen one day following her dad, the current heir.

Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands and Princess Elisabeth of Belgium in Oct. 2023.MADS CLAUS RASMUSSEN/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images

Dutch Crown Princess Amalia (C) and Belgium’s Crown Princess Elisabeth (R) are pictured as they arrive at the celebration with a gala dinner for Prince Christian’s 18th birthday at the Christiansborg Castle in Copenhagen

MADS CLAUS RASMUSSEN/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images

Queen Margretheannounced her abdicationduring her annual New Year’s speech on Dec. 31, 2023,shocking the world. She previously hinted that she intended to reign for life and is now the first Danish sovereign to voluntarily step down from the throne in nearly 900 years, the Danish Royal House said in astatement.

On Sunday, shesigned a declaration of her abdicationon the 52nd anniversary of her accession.

King Frederik and Queen Margrethe on her abdication day, Jan. 14, 2024.MADS CLAUS RASMUSSEN/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty

After signing the declaration of abdication Queen Margrethe II of Denmark (C-R) leaves the seat at the head of the table to her son King Frederik X of Denmark during the meeting of the Council of State at the Christiansborg Castle in Copenhagen

MADS CLAUS RASMUSSEN/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty

Shortly after, King Frederik stepped out on the palace balcony in his first public appearance as monarch. He waved to the cheering crowds from the balcony, looking emotional and wiping away tears.

Denmark’s prime minister then stepped forward and proclaimed the change of reign from the balcony at Christiansborg Castle.

King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark made first appearance on Jan. 14, 2024.JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP via Getty

King Frederik X of Denmark and Queen Mary of Denmark (R) greet from the balcony of Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen

JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP via Getty

source: people.com