King Charles May Abdicate Throne in Favor of Prince William, Similar to Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II
Royal experts suggest that King Charles may follow in the footsteps of Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II and abdicate the throne early, making way for Prince William. Queen Margrethe, who is 83 years old and a third cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II, announced in her New Year’s speech on December 31 that she would be stepping down on January 14. Her decision means that her son, Crown Prince Frederik, will now take over.
According to royal expert Phil Dampier, King Charles may consider abdicating in the next five or ten years if his health declines or if he believes it is a good time to pass the throne to William and Kate while they are still young. Dampier stated, “Our late Queen would never abdicate because of what happened in 1936 when her uncle abdicated and her father came to the throne. But times change.”
Richard Fitzwilliams, another royal expert, echoed Dampier’s comments and suggested that Queen Margrethe’s decision to abdicate early may be to ensure that the monarchy stays relevant. Charles has also expressed interest in implementing changes to the monarchy to keep up with the times.
While some speculate that Margrethe’s decision was motivated by preserving her son’s marriage amid affair rumors, others believe it was a strategic move to make way for a younger ruler. Prince Frederik was rumored to have been unfaithful to his wife, Crown Princess Mary, with socialite Genoveva Casanova. However, Casanova denied any affair took place.
Queen Margrethe will step down in just 11 days, on the same day she ascended to the throne in 1972 after the death of her father, King Frederik IX.