King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark visit parliament on first day in new position and are joined by Queen Margrethe and Prince Joachim in a sign all feuds have thawed
Queen Mary, 51, in a blue skirt suit and dress hat, tiptoed up the stairs into Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen in towering stilettos, alongside husband Frederik, who looked suave in a navy suit.
The royal couple were joined by their son, the newly appointed Crown Prince Christian, 18, as well as Frederik's mother Queen Margrethe, who officially stepped down on Sunday after a 52 year reign.
Also joining the royals at the Danish parliament was Frederik's brother Joachim, 54, who appeared at the ascension without his wife Princess Marie, and Princess Benedikte, who is Margrethe's sister.
Joachim, who famously fell out with his mother when his children lost their Prince and Princess titles, appeared to show it was all water under the bridge as he proudly stood alongside her today.
Once inside, the family listened to speeches from Danish politicians, including the Prime Minister, before the Danish National Girls' choir sang Hans Christian Andersen's 'Denmark, my Fatherland,' causing Mary to cry.
Queen Mary , 51, in a blue skirt suit and dress hat tiptoed up the stairs into Christiansborg Palace - the Danish parliament - in stilettos
Clutching a bouquet, she was joined by the new King as the pair braved -2C weather
On the steps of parliament, Frederik greeted his brother Joachim, showing there's no ill will between the pair
Showing no sign of sadness after stepping down, Queen Margarethe looked delighted as she wondered into parliament
The royal family popped up umbrellas to protect themselves from the sleet in the chilly temperatures
Princess Mary appeared to well up as she listened to 'Danmark, mit fædreland' (Denmark, my fatherland) which was written by Hans Christian Andersen in 1850
Mary listened intensely to the speeches, seemingly taking well in her first day as monarch
The new face of Danish royalty: Crown Prince Christian sat alongside his mother and father as Queen Margrethe and Prince Joachim sat behind
Mary and Christian chatted to one another from the viewing gallery
Christian and Mary spoke to one another from the viewing gallery of parliament
Mary, Frederik and Christian walked into the viewing gallery first and were followed by the rest of the royals
The family stood to sing the national anthem before listening to speeches
Margrethe, known for her quirky fashion sense, opted for a fur coat inside parliament
The royals arrived in three separate cars , baring the Danish flag, before heading into the parliament building
Perhaps in a nod that everything is peaceful within the family, second-born Joachim wore a tie emblazoned with elephants.
The Order of the Elephant (Elefantordenen) is Denmark's highest honour. The honour is typically given to children of the monarch and their spouses, as well as heads of state and foreign royals.
Braving the -2C (28F) temperatures and rainy weather, Mary and Frederik greeted their family outside the building before watching speeches by politicians.
After entering parliament, Mary - clutching a bouquet - headed into the chamber with husband Frederik and son Christian sitting either side of her.
Joachim, Benedikte and Margarethe sat behind as they listened to a speech by Mette Frederiksen, the Danish Prime Minister.
Other MPs also gave speeches before the Danish National Girls' Choir - known as DR Pigekoret - sang to the royal family.
The choir performed, 'Danmark, mit fædreland' (Denmark, my fatherland) which was written by Hans Christian Andersen in 1850.
The poem is about his love for the Danish country and language, and is often proposed as a new national anthem of Denmark.
Mary showed off her new status in a royal blue dress with matching accessorises
Clearly accustomed to the Danish chill, Mary braved the weather in a pair of blue leather gloves
Meanwhile Margarethe, 82, wrapped up warm in a grey fur coat and hat for the celebrations
Frederik sweetly greeted his mother outside of parliament as he took over the new role
Mary looked at ease in her new role as Queen as she carried flowers inside
Prince Joachim, who fell out with his mother over a title row, showed that is was all water under the bridge
Passing the torch! Margrethe looked proud as she took a seat behind her son
The new king seemed at ease in his new role in parliament
Frederik took a seat in the front row with Queen Margrethe behind him
The royals watched over parliament as they delivered speeches
The song is reportedly a favourite of he new Queen's, who closed her eyes and looked emotional as it played.
'It's more than a song. It is a declaration of love for Denmark, for history, for the language, for the culture, for the landscape. A love song that even I, even though I was not born in Denmark, can feel deep in my heart. And I know that you don't have to be born in a country to feel at home,' she said during a speech in 2017.
Joachim, who famously fell out with his mother when his children lost their Prince and Princess titles, appeared to show it was all water under the bridge as he proudly stood alongside her today.
It's been a whirlwind start to the year for the Danish royals.
Queen Margrethe, 82, announced her abdication in a shock New Year's Eve speech.
Yesterday, 100,000 Danes gathered on the streets of Copenhagen to celebrate King Frederik's ascension.
An emotional Frederik promised to be a modern monarch 'of tomorrow' as he asked his 'beloved wife' and family for support during a new reign - but a body language expert has questioned how 'spontaneous' his kiss with Queen Mary was, as he sealed the moment with a public smooch.
In his first public speech after being proclaimed King, the father-of-four, 55, as per a translation by royal blogger Gert's Royals, said: 'My mother, Her Majesty Queen Margrethe the second, has ruled Denmark for 52 years. For half a century, she has followed the times with our common heritage as a starting point.
'She will always be remembered as a Monarch beyond the ordinary. Like few, my mother has managed to be at one with her kingdom. Today, the throne passes on.
'My hope is to become an unifying king of tomorrow. It's a task I've been waiting for all my life. It is a responsibility I take on with respect, pride and great joy.
Beautiful in blue! Mary and Frederik looked delighted to arrive at the parliament building
The couple appeared at ease in their new roles within parliament
They chatted to various politicians and aides on their way in
'It is a deed I will take pains to carry out and carry through the position I have been entrusted with.
'I need all the support I can get. From my beloved wife, from my family, from you and from that which is greater than us. I face the future knowing that I am not alone.
'Bound, committed, for the Kingdom of Denmark.'
The royal was visibly moved at Christiansborg Castle, and wiped away tears at the historic occasions as roaring crowds cheered him on.
But Frederik's 'genuinely happy and highly emotional display' on the balcony revealed potential tensions in his marriage, a body language expert said.
Adrianne Carter told FEMAIL: 'When Mary joins him we initially see quite a distance between the two of them as they hold hands, he moves closer which she accepts. A literal distance can often mean a distance in a relationship.
'When the children join them, they all move in together. Mary encompasses her children showing that's her important focus.'
However, when the King pulls Mary close as the children leave the balcony - Mary is 'the first to pull away'.
She continued: 'Frederik gives Mary a win, which means we're in this together. He pulls her in for a kiss, which he tries to do a few times before it actually happens. This is something he has planned, rather than something spontaneous.'
A beaming Frederik was then joined by his wife Mary - who is now Queen of Denmark - and their children Christian, 18, Isabella, 16 and Vincent and Josephine - both 13
Fireworks were set off over Copenhagen on Sunday evening to celebrate the new Danish King
Frederik's 'genuinely happy and highly emotional display' on the balcony revealed potential tensions in his marriage, a body language expert has revealed
Mary was all smiles with an elated Frederik as the pair posed up a storm for adoring crowds on the balcony
The royal, 55, was visibly moved as was proclaimed King on the balcony at Christiansborg Castle
The royal, 55, was visibly moved as was proclaimed King by the Prime Minister at Christiansborg Castle
It comes following rumours that the couple's marriage is on the rocks after Frederik was pictured with Mexican socialite Genoveva Casanova in Madrid without his wife in October.
Just moments before his first appearance as King, Frederik's mother Queen Margrethe II had signed her historic abdication after 52 years as monarch, Danish broadcaster DR has said - and BBC reports say that her poignant last words before leaving the Council of State were: 'God save the King'.
A beaming Frederik was then joined by his wife Mary - who is now Queen of Denmark - and their children Christian, 18, Isabella, 16 and twins Vincent and Josephine, 13.
Sunday's transferrence of power has kicked off as Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary - along with their son Prince Christian - made their way to Christiansborg Castle.
A procession of cars set off with the royals being driven in a 1958 Rolls-Royce from Amalienborg.
Margrethe II followed in a carriage, waving at delighted crowds as she left from Christian IX's Palace.
Both passed through Frederiksgade, Bredgade, Kongens Nytorv, Holmens Canal and Prince Jørgen's Courtyard on the way.
The crowd is pictured in the Christiansborg Castle square during the declaration of abdication of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark
The couple put on a united front as they held hands on the balcony appearance at Christiansborg Palace
At 3pm Danish time, the couple made a balcony appearance at Christiansborg Palace. The Prime Minister then proclaimed the King's accession to the throne
King Frederik was visibly emotional as he was declared the monarch of Denmark on the balcony
At Christiansborg Palace, Margrethe, Frederik, and Christian all took part in a Council of State at with the Government and the Council of State secretary and Her Majesty signed a declaration of her abdication.
Margrethe then made her way back to Amalienborg, while Frederik and Mary are holding a formal reception for specially invited guests.
At 3pm Danish time, the couple made a balcony appearance at Christiansborg Palace. The Prime Minister then proclaimed the King's accession to the throne.
After this, the newly crowned monarch made an impassioned speech as he admitted his wish to be a 'unifying king'.
'I need all the support I can get,' he revealed. 'From my beloved wife, from my family, from you and from that which is greater than us. I face the future knowing that I am not alone.
'Bound, committed, for the Kingdom of Denmark.'
It was followed by an honorary cannon salute from the Sixtus Battery - a heritage site on Holmen, Copenhagen - and the Royal Standard will then be lowered at Christian IX's Palace (Margrethe's home) and reraised at Frederik VIII's Palace, where the new King and Queen are based.
Frederik and Mary then took part in a carriage ride from Christiansborg Palace back to Amalienborg, escorted by a mounted squadron.
At 5pm Danish time, there was a transfer of the royal colours from Christian IX's Palace to Frederik VIII's Palace.
Queen Margrethe's abdication has kicked off as Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary - along with their son Prince Christian - have begun to make their way to Christiansborg Castle
Queen Margrethe II has signed her historic abdication after 52 years as monarch, Danish broadcaster DR has said
Frederik and Mary grinned at crowds as they drove through the streets of Copenhagen for Sunday's abdication
A procession of cars has set off with the royals being driven in a 1958 Rolls-Royce from Amalienborg
Queen Margrethe leaves the Council of State meeting after signing a declaration of abdication at Christiansborg Castle
Margrethe has now made her way back to Amalienborg, while Frederik and Mary are holding a formal reception for specially invited guests. Pictured at the Council of State meeting
Denmark's former Queen Margrethe leaves the place at the head of the table to her son Frederik
Margrethe II followed in a carriage, waving at delighted crowds as she left from Christian IX's Palace
A child wearing a crown, looks on as people gather on the day Danish Queen Margrethe abdicates after 52 years on the throne
Pictured: The honour guard getting ready ahead of royal festivities in Copenhagen, Denmark
Pictured: Crown Princess Mary, Crown Prince Frederik and Queen Margrethe attend the annual opening of the parliamentary session at the Danish Parliament in October 2022
Speaking to FEMAIL, body language expert Adrianne Carter said there were 'no signs of nervousness' from Magrethe as she beamed at delighted crowds from her carriage - and waved
Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary look on during the drive from Amalienborg Castle to Christiansborg Castle
The Queen appeared in high spirits as she rode in the carriage and waved to delighted crowds in the streets
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark leaves for the proclamation of HM King Frederik X and HM Queen Mary
Stable keepers have also been readying the horses in the royal stables of Christiansborg Palace this morning
Well-wishers wearing crowns and coronation robes gathered outside Christiansborg Palace this morning
Speaking to FEMAIL, body language expert Adrianne also said there were 'no signs of nervousness' from Magrethe as she beamed at delighted crowds from her carriage - and waved - when the festivities kicked off Sunday.
'Genuine smiles from the Queen in the carriage,' she explained.
'Full beaming smiles, she's enjoying seeing so many people in attendance.'
Copenhagen's streets were lined to the brim as Sunday's festivities kicked off in the morning.
A live broadcast from regional channel DR1 shows soldiers marching up and down the streets as excited crowds have lined up, donning plastic crowds, Danish flag and various regalia to celebrate the low-key ceremony.
Photos from the event also show security making checks at the balcony of Christiansborg Palace, with only hours to go before Queen Margrethe II's abdication - which she announced on New Year's Eve.
Stable keepers have also been readying the horses in the royal stables this morning.
And earlier Sunday, soldiers from the Danish Guard Hussar regiment appeared to have been rehearsing for the day's events.
Elsewhere, excited royal fans in Copenhagen queued to buy cakes decorated with a seal of the soon to be crowned King Frederik X, displayed in the window of the well-known confectionery shop La Glace.
And the celebrations began as early as last night as Margrethe was seen listening to the public sing to her in Copenhagen on the eve of her abdication.
The royal, 83, ruled Denmark for more than 52 years and became Europe's longest-reigning monarch after Queen Elizabeth II passed away in September 2022.
Photos from the event also show security making checks at the balcony of Christiansborg Castle, with only hours to go before Queen Margrethe II's abdication - which she announced on New Year's Eve
Well-wishers gather in Christiansborg Palace square , adorned in Danish flag regalia in the early hours of the morning
The Danish Royal Horse Guard trains with a proxy carriage
Police officers gather before the ride of the royals from Amalienborg Castle to Christiansborg Castle
The honour guard prepares ahead of the proclamation of HM King Frederik X and HM Queen Mary of Denmark at Amalienborg Palace Square
Danish flags are waved as excited crowds gather round the Amalienborg Palace Square in Copenhagen
A kangaroo balloon - in a seeming tribute to Crown Princess Mary's Australian heritage - is waved in the air
A police officer directs members of the public ahead of the proclamation of HM King Frederik X
Elsewhere, excited royal fans in Copenhagen have been queueing to buy cakes decorated with a seal of the soon to be crowned King Frederik X
People pass an image of Queen Margrethe in Copenhagen, Denmark, ahead of of her passing on the throne to her son on Sunday
Danish royalists took to the streets of Copenhagen this weekend and waved red and white flags to honour their beloved Queen Margrethe
The Queen, known for her chain-smoking and flamboyant style - was seen on the clip walking around her home and peering out at the crowd
The Queen, known for her chain-smoking and flamboyant style - was seen on the clip walking around her home and peering out at the crowd.
Margrethe, who in the past had said she would remain on the throne for life, did not give an exact reason for her decision to step down.
However, she said that a major back surgery she underwent in February last year had made her consider her future.
'The surgery naturally gave rise to thinking about the future - whether the time had come to leave the responsibility to the next generation,' she said in her speech.
'I have decided that now is the right time. On January 14, 2024, 52 years after I succeeded my beloved father, I will step down as Queen of Denmark.
'I leave the throne to my son, Crown Prince Frederik.'
Early doors! Wellwishers have already started gathering at Christiansborg Palace Square ahead of Queen Margrethe's abdication in Copenhagen
The first crowds have started coming together outside the palace for the historic stripped-back event
The sun was yet to rise when the first royal fans started setting up to witness abdication
Pictured: Danish flags fluttered on buildings close to Christiansborg Castle Square ahead of Queen Margrethe's abdication
Denmark's Crown Prince Frederik takes over the crown on Sunday from his mother, Queen Margrethe II
Department store windows display the Danish flag and the Danish crown in Copenhagen
A picture of Danish Queen Margrethe II with a message reading 'Thank you, Your Majesty'
Thousands of people have flooded into Copenhagen to witness the abdication
People look at a picture of the soon-to-be King Frederik X and his wife Queen Mary displayed in a window at a shopping street
Queen Margrethe II is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign
Queen Margrethe II rides through Denmark's capital in her final engagement as monarch
In fairytale picturesque scenes, thousands, many cheering and waving flags, braved the freezing temperatures, strong winds, snow and sleet
Dressed in a fur coat, the 83-year-old uses a walking stick as she prepares to greet invited representatives of major national organisations and the royal patronage during her visit to Christiansborg Castle in Copenhagen, on January 4
The monarch delivered the shock news during her traditional New Year's Eve speech.
Danish royalists took to the streets of Copenhagen this weekend and waved red and white flags to honour their beloved Queen Margrethe - and this morning, wellwishers have already started to set up outside Christiansborg Palace Square.
A video posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, captured the public singing to Margrethe outside Amalienborg, Margrethe's winter residence last night.
One of the windows to the palace was left wide open, so that she could hear those who came to sing to her.
Wellwishers with folding chairs donning Danish flags have already started to excitedly line the streets in preparation for this afternoon's events.
The historic occasion is sure to be an exciting event for the nation - but is set to be a much more stripped down transferrence of power compared to King Charles's ornate Coronation in May.
Queen Margrethe, who took to the throne in 1972, has become the first Danish monarch in nearly 900 years to relinquish the throne.However, during an interview in 2016, she expressed a different opinion.
She said: 'It's always been: you stay as long as you live. That's what my father did and my predecessors. And the way I see it too.'
'It could be that she thinks Prince Frederik is prepared to take over now,' said Lars Hovbakke Sorensen, a historian and associate professor at University College Absalon in Denmark.
'He's 55, and maybe the queen wanted to avoid a situation where you would have a very, very old king, as you saw with Prince Charles.'
The new Danish royal couple will take the throne at a time of huge public support and enthusiasm for the monarchy.
The royal, 83, has ruled Denmark for more than 52 years and become Europe's longest reigning monarch after Queen Elizabeth II passed away in September 2022
The Danish Queen (right) will be succeeded by her eldest son Crown Prince Frederik (centre) pictured with his Australian-born wife Crown Princess Mary
Frederik and Mary will wave from the balcony. The couple are pictured on Frederik's 50th birthday
Mary appeared optimistic as she arrived at the New Year's reception for officers from the Armed Forces and the National Emergency Management Agency
Margrethe II was the eldest of the three daughters of King Frederik IX of Denmark, and succeeded him to the throne in 1972
The most recent survey, which was done after the queen announced she would abdicate, indicated that 82 per cent of Danes expect Frederik to do well or very well in his new role, while 86 per cent said the same about Mary.
'The royal family means everything that is Danish. It's fairytales and traditions,' said Anna Karina Laursen, 59, a nod to the country's famous fairytale writer Hans Christian Andersen.
The Amalienborg complex, built in the 1750s, is located in central Copenhagen and consists of four palaces built around an octagonal courtyard.
It is home to both the outgoing queen and the new reigning couple.
However, a royal expert said that the Danish Queen broke an 'invisible pact' between Scandinavian monarchs to never abdicate.
Roger Lundberg told STV that, after Denmark's changeover, there is a chance King Harald of Norway, 86, and King Carl Gustaf of Sweden, 79, might follow suit and step down to allow their eldest children to take the throne.
New Danish royal titles and line of succession
FIRST IN LINE: Prince Christian will become Crown Prince Christian and is the heir apparent
SECOND: Christian's younger sister, 16-year-old Princess Isabella will become second in lin
THIRD AND FOURTH: Twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine take the next spots in the ranking (pictured with Prince Christian and Queen Margrethe last April)
L to R: Felix (SEVENTH), Marie, Prince Joachim (FIFTH), Athena (NINTH), Henrik (EIGHTH) and Nikolai (SIXTH) in September
TENTH: Queen Margrethe's sister Princess Benedikte, herself 79, takes the final spot in the line of succession
CROWN PRINCE FREDERIK WILL BECOME KING
Frederick, 55, formerly known as Crown Prince Frederick - is set to become His Majesty King Frederick X.
Her Majesty The Queen will continue to be known as Her Majesty and bear the title HM Queen Margrethe.
CROWN PRINCESS MARY WILL BECOME QUEEN
Meanwhile, his wife Crown Princess Mary - who is very popular with the Danish public due to her dedication to royal duty and commitment to learning the language - will become Queen Consort.
She is also set to become the nation's first Australian-born queen.
The couple, who met in a bar in 2000 during the Olympics in Sydney, share four children, who each occupy the next spaces in the line of succession.
PRINCE CHRISTIAN WILL BECOME CROWN PRINCE
Their son Prince Christian will become the next in line to the Danish throne at just 18.
His title will change to Crown Prince Christian as he will be the heir apparent.
He may have to act as head of state when his father is out of the country.
Princess Mary, Frederik's brother Joachim, and Princess Benedikte are able to take over as head of state should Christian be too busy - however he will certainly be required to take on more official duties.
Christian is often referred to as the 'most eligible bachelor in Europe' and his new title will only elevate that status even more.
