Frederik X proclaimed King of Denmark after Queen Margrethe abdicates

Queen Margrethe II became Denmark’s first monarch to abdicate in nearly 900 years when she handed over the throne to her son, who has become King Frederik X (Martin Meissner/AP)

Denmark’s prime minister proclaimed Frederik X King on Sunday after his mother, Queen Margrethe II, formally signed her abdication, with huge crowds turning out to rejoice at the throne passing from a beloved monarch to her popular son.

Margrethe, 83, is the first Danish monarch to voluntarily relinquish the throne in nearly 900 years.