The King and Queen have sent their “very best wishes” to King Frederik X and Queen Mary of Denmark on the day of their accession to the throne.
Charles wrote a message, shared by Buckingham Palace, in which he also paid tribute to “the many years of service” of Frederik’s mother, and Europe’s current longest-reigning monarch, Queen Margrethe II.
Queen Margrethe, 83, announced her abdication in a televised New Year speech, which she said was due to extensive back surgery.
Buckingham Palace said King Charles has written privately to the Margrethe II, who stepped down today after a 52-year reign.
Charles and Camilla send ‘very best wishes’ to Denmark’s new King and Queen
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This made way for Frederik, 55, and his Australian-born wife Mary, 51, to become the new King and Queen.
Mary is the daughter of Scottish immigrants and was raised in Tasmania.
In his letter to Frederik and Mary, the King of the United Kingdom wrote: “My wife joins me in writing to convey our very best wishes on the day of your accession to the throne of the Kingdom of Denmark.
King Frederik and Queen Mary are proclaimed King and Queen from palace balcony
Reuters
“I look forward to working with you on ensuring that the enduring bond between our countries, and our families, remains strong, and to working together with you on issues which matter so much for our countries and the wider world.
“I pay tribute to the many years of service of your mother, Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II, and remember fondly the frequent visits between our countries, including our visit to Copenhagen and Elsinore in 2012.
“I was delighted that Your Majesties were able to attend our coronation last year and I much look forward to future opportunities to celebrate the close connection that unites our countries and our families.”
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark announced her abdication in her New Year's speechReutersLATEST ROYAL NEWS:
Queen Mary and King Frederik at King Charles's Coronation in May earlier this year
PAFrederik and Mary left their home at Amalienborg, alongside their eldest son Crown Prince Christian today.
Queen Margrethe rode in a carriage from Christian IX's Palace, Amalienborg to Christiansborg Palace, escorted by the Guard Hussar Regiment.
The former Queen, Frederik and Crown Prince Christian then joined the Danish Government, Council of State Secretary in the Council of State for the formal transfer of power.
Queen Margrethe then signed an official declaration of her abdication.
Denmark's new King and Queen were proclaimed from the balcony of Christiansborg Palace by the Prime Minister. King Frederik also addressed the crowd in Danish.