Denmark’s new king, Frederick X, officially ascended to the throne on Sunday. The new monarch succeeds his mother, Queen Margrethe II. The ceremony was memorable, with balcony photos capturing moments of affection that could be interpreted as a subtle gesture.

As previously reported, Queen Margrethe II, who reigned for nearly 52 years, announced her abdication in her New Year’s television speech. During the announcement, she revealed that her 55-year-old eldest son, Frederick, would follow her on the throne. Queen Margrethe is the first monarch in the Danish monarchy’s nearly 900-year history to voluntarily step down from the throne. Although the 83-year-old queen did not provide a specific reason for her decision, she recently mentioned in a statement that after undergoing a significant back surgery in February of the previous year, she reflected on her future.

Whatever the underlying reasons, the succession became official on January 14 when Queen Margrethe signed her abdication statement during a parliamentary session of the State Council. The event was attended by government representatives, members of the royal family, including the departing queen, the new monarch Frederick, his 51-year-old Australian-born wife Maria, and their eldest son, who is now the new heir to the throne.

Following the signature, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced from the parliament balcony that Denmark has a new ruler. King Frederick X, in his speech, expressed the immense honor of following his mother on the throne and gladly accepting the responsibilities. He acknowledged the need for support from his beloved wife and faced the future with confidence, knowing he is not alone.

On the balcony, the new king sealed the moment with a significant kiss to his wife. The scene might be seen as a symbolic gesture, as several tabloids previously speculated that Queen Margrethe abdicated to save her son’s marriage.

For those more interested in the crown than the kiss, disappointment ensued. Denmark, unlike other European countries, has not practiced coronations since 1906. The event drew tens of thousands to the capital from all parts of the country, indicating the popularity of the monarchy. A post-announcement survey showed that 82% of Danes believe Frederick will be a good ruler for the country.

image source: youtube