Today, January 14, 2024, we witnessed a significant historical event for the Danish Royal Family: the peaceful and voluntary abdication and succession of Queen Margrethe II and the ascension to the throne of King Frederik X. This event not only marks a turning point in the long history of the monarchy but also serves as a testament to the continuous continuation and development of this nation.
The current Danish monarchy, with over 1000 years of history, has seen dozens of monarchs, and now, under King Frederik X, a new chapter opens. The Danish flag, holding the world record as the longest continuously used national flag since 1625, is a symbol of peace and prosperity. It also reflects the affection and trust of the people towards the royal family, as well as the wisdom and adaptability of the Danish monarchy throughout history.
Queen Margrethe II, with 52 years of peaceful and prosperous reign, set a record as Europe’s longest-reigning monarch. Queen Margrethe II is also passionate about archaeology and painting. Interestingly, she left her mark by illustrating the Danish version of “The Lord of the Rings,” demonstrating her love for culture and art. The Queen’s illustrations were highly appreciated by the novel’s author and served as inspiration for the illustrations in the English version of the novel.
King Frederik X, since his time as Crown Prince Frederik, has had a strong passion for sports. He participated in the Iron Man competition in 2013 and founded the “Royal Run” in 2018, on the occasion of his 50th birthday. This event, held in the five largest cities of the nation, not only demonstrates his dynamism and sporting spirit but also symbolizes connection and interaction with the people. This event may indicate King Frederik X’s simple and approachable leadership style during his reign. Many members of the AVIDE Executive Board also had the opportunity to meet the King and Queen when they were Crown Prince and Crown Princess, participating in Vietnam-Denmark friendship events.
The abdication and succession of Queen Margrethe II demonstrate respect for and inheritance of tradition and wisdom. Furthermore, this act is rare, and one can also feel the Queen’s love and responsibility towards Crown Prince Frederik. The new reign under the leadership of King Frederik X promises to continue traditional values while introducing innovations suitable for the modern era.
King Frederik X, with the vision and strength of a dynamic and approachable monarch, will open a new chapter for Denmark, where tradition and modernity blend. Vietnam and Denmark share particularly interesting historical relations through Prince Henrik, and the Danish Royal Family and the Kingdom of Denmark in general. The Vietnamese community in Denmark is well-integrated, well-regarded, and has achieved significant successes and made very positive contributions to Danish society. On that basis, we can also hope that friendly cooperation activities between Vietnam and Denmark will continue to be maintained, expanded, and strongly developed in the coming time.
The Association of Vietnamese Intellectuals and Professionals in Denmark (AVIDE) is delighted with this momentous event. We are pleased and will strive our utmost to contribute to the peaceful and prosperous development of both countries, as well as the strong development of their comprehensive partnership. Let us look to the future with faith and hope in the new reign of King Frederik X. Congratulations to the Danish Royal Family on this new journey under the leadership of King Frederik X, a monarch of the new era, bringing faith and hope for continued peace and bright prosperity to the Kingdom of Denmark.
