RICHARD EDEN: Danish Queen Margrethe’s decision to abdicate shows that King Charles CAN abdicate when the time is right – whatever his mother might have said…
Queen Margrethe of Denmark’s decision to abdicate the Danish throne has opened the door for King Charles III to do the same, says Richard Eden.
Abdication has long been a difficult word for the British royal family, but Eden believes Charles is now free to take a different stand – and step down when the time is right.
Queen Margrethe’s calm, no-nonsense announcement in a live broadcast on New Year’s Eve can only help, he writes in the latest edition of his Palace Confidential newsletter.
“In my opinion, there is no reason why King Charles should view the abdication as a disaster,” he concluded.
Queen Margrethe II smiles as she gives her annual speech on New Year’s Eve – and tells the Danish public she is abdicating in favor of her son. Margrethe, a friend of the late Queen Elizabeth, has been on the Danish throne for 52 years. Her reign ends on January 14, the anniversary of her accession
King Charles III wears the Imperial State Crown during the State Opening of Parliament in November. A peaceful transfer of power in Denmark shows that an abdication does not have to be a disaster, says Richard Eden
King Edward VIII tells the world he must abdicate to marry an American divorcee, Wallis Simpson. The 1936 broadcast was the culmination of a crisis that traumatized the royal family and put King Charles’ grandfather on the throne
‘The expected smooth transition in Copenhagen will show him that he too could follow the example of Queen Margrethe, who is only eight years older than him.
‘In a secure, confident monarchy, the principle of heredity would not be undermined if the king transferred power to his heir before he became too weak to carry out his duties effectively.’
Europe’s royal houses were shocked this week when 83-year-old Margrethe announced in her annual New Year’s broadcast that she would abdicate on the 52nd anniversary of her succession to the Danish throne.
Her eldest son Frederik will become king on January 14.
The abdication has had unfortunate resonance on this side of the North Sea since the 1930s, when Edward VIII abdicated and the late Queen Elizabeth’s father was obliged to replace him.
Eden writes: ‘The Queen was haunted by the abdication crisis of 1936 when her shy father, Bertie, reluctantly became King George VI after her uncle, Edward VIII, abdicated the throne so he could marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson.
‘George VI died just ten years later, at the age of 56.
‘For the House of Windsor, abdication has always been a dirty word.
“Queen Elizabeth, who reigned until her death at the age of 96, never considered handing over the throne to Prince Charles, no matter what the makers of Netflix series The Crown would have you believe.”
Demark appears to be following the news closely – with the public largely happy that Crown Prince Frederik took the throne with his Australian-born wife, Princess Mary.
In the long term, this example could be good news for Charles, says Eden.
‘Prince William is in no rush to become king: he likes to spend as much time as possible with Catherine and their young children.
Queen Margrethe will be succeeded in a few days by her eldest son, Crown Prince Frederick
Catherine and William, Prince of Wales, are in no hurry to succeed his father. But King Charles should feel free to resign if the burden becomes too much, says Richard Eden
Queen Elizabeth II is pictured recording the first televised Christmas message in 1957. Until then, the broadcast had been limited to radio. Elizabeth, anointed queen by God, promised she would never abdicate – and kept her word
‘And the king has settled into his new role with ease, supported by Queen Camilla, who turns 77 in July.
“Queen Margrethe made her decision after undergoing major back surgery and if King Charles finds the burden of being the head of state too heavy in the future, he should follow her example.”
To read more of Richard’s expert Royal commentary, click here