The decision came months after a Spanish socialite denied rumors that she was having an affair with the future king, 55, while his wife was traveling overseas.
DENMARK’S QUEEN MARGRETHE II MAKES FINAL PUBLIC APPEARANCE BEFORE STEPPING DOWN FROM THRONE
Queen Margrethe II hands over a New Year’s crown in Copenhagen, Denmark, Dec. 31, 2023, announcing her upcoming abdication. (Keld Navntoft/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP)
“These rumors, of course, have not been verified or denied by the Danish royal family, but the timing of this announcement through Queen Margrethe is highly suspicious,” royal expert Hilary Fordwich told Fox News Digital. . . . In addition, Queen Margrethe denied him any intention of abdicating as recently as [a year earlier]. “
In November, several Spanish media outlets published photographs of Frederik with Genoveva Casanova, a designer and philanthropist, on a private visit to Madrid.
During the excursion, which took place at the end of October, the couple visited a Picasso exhibition at the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza. They also took a walk in a park and had dinner together.
Crown Princess Maria and Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark have tried to show bravery in the wake of the rumors. (Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images)
According to Hola! Magazine, a mutual friend was originally meant to accompany the prince on his stopover in Madrid, but fell ill due to COVID. The friend then asked Casanova, an identified expert on Picasso’s art, to interfere on his behalf and welcome the royals. The outlet noted that the two men gave the impression of being “normal” in public and did not wear sunglasses, scarves or hats to hide their identities.
Rumors of an affair intensified through the tabloids, prompting Casanova to speak out. The 47-year-old did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment at the time. A spokesperson for the Royal House of Denmark told Fox News Digital: “We do not comment on rumors and innuendo. “
The TV personality told Hello!that he will tolerate the spread of malicious gossip.
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Genoveva Casanova said she would tolerate malicious rumors. (Juan Naharro Giménez/WireImage)
“I categorically deny that a romantic date between Prince Frederik and I is being suggested,” Casanova told the outlet. “Anything like that is not only completely false, but also maliciously distorts the facts. “
“This is already in the hands of my lawyers, who will take care of the pertinent steps to protect my right to honor, truth and privacy,” she added.
Danish news site Dagens. com noted that Frederik’s trip to Madrid took place while his wife was in New York for United Nations Day.
The crown prince will be King Frederick X of Denmark, while Australian-born Crown Princess Mary will be the queen. (Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP)
Casanova was born in Mexico but was founded in Spain, the outlet reported. She was married to cavalryman Cayetano Martínez, current Count of Salvatierra and Duke of Arjona, from 2005 to 2007.
Frederik and Princess Maria celebrated the heir’s 19th wedding anniversary in May. The couple met in 2000 in Australia while the prince was visiting the Summer Olympics in Sydney. Former advertising executive Mary Donaldson fell in love with “Fred” at a local bar, unaware that she was talking to the heir to the 1,000-year-old Danish throne, People magazine reported.
The couple courted from afar before getting engaged in 2004. La couple tied the knot that year. They are the children of 4 children.
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Danish Crown Prince Frederik and his wife, Princess Maria, embrace as the royal couple looks after their wedding on May 14, 2004 in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Ian Waldie/Getty Images)
“Like Britain’s Kate Middleton, Princess Mary has endeared herself to the public,” Fordwich explained. “Like Kate, this can be attributed to her down-to-earth upbringing. They both have their respective families and help them with their arduous tasks. . They both have a backbone as a result. “
Royal Shannon Felton Spence told Fox News Digital that the symptoms of the Queen’s abdication were already there.
“Not long ago, the Queen narrowed the line of succession by cutting off the titles of her youngest son’s children,” Spence said. “To me, it’s the first sign that an abdication is imminent. This was long before the scandal of the case. The weakening of the monarchy is a step towards the future. . . The timing of the so-called affair is still not bad luck at all. Do I think the resolution has been taken in a hurry? All the symptoms point to this being prepared in the coming days. into the future. “
Queen Margrethe said it was health reasons that compelled her to step down. (Julian Parker/UK Press)
In March 2023, the queen’s youngest son, Prince Joachim, announced that he would be moving to Washington, D. C. The 54-year-old had secured a new position at the Danish embassy at the Ministry of Defence. In the past he lived in France.
The announcement was significant as the queen had revealed in the past that she was stripping Joachim’s four children of their prince and princess titles. In early 2023, they became known as His Excellency the Count of Monpezat instead of His Highness.
Joachim told Danish outlet B.T. that he hadn’t talked to his mother, his brother or his sister-in-law following the shocking news. He also claimed that the monarchy “unfortunately” had not connected with them since the announcement of the title changes.
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Prince Joachim is pictured here with his family in Copenhagen, circa 2022. (Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP)
“It’s also a family. Or we have to call her,” he said.
Joachim is sixth on the Danish throne. Their youngsters will retain their position in the line of succession, which has lately been between seventh and tenth place.
“With her decision, Her Majesty The Queen wishes to create the framework for the 4 grandchildren to shape their own lives to a much greater extent, being constrained by the special considerations and tasks related to formal partnership with the Royal House of Denmark. as an institution,” the palace said in a statement.
Prince Joachim appears here with Britain’s Prince Harry. The Duke of Sussex lives in California with his wife Meghan Markle. (Chris Jackson – WPA Group/Getty Images)
It is believed that this update was made to rationalize the future of the monarchy. However, Joachim said that the first thing is the circle of relatives.
“The reality must still be: Whether you modernize or slim down, it must be done in a proper way,” he told the outlet. “It’s about children. Orderliness and children. It is a very heavy matter.”
The Queen apologized for irritating members of her family circle with the decision, but refused to change her mind.
THE CHRISTIAN PRINCE OF DENMARK REJECTS THE ROYAL PENSION HE SHOULD RECEIVE ON HIS 18TH BIRTHDAY
Prince Joachim and Princess Mary of Denmark arrive at the gala banquet at Christiansborg Palace on Sept. 11, 2022, celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the Queen of Denmark’s accession to the throne. (Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP)
“It is my duty and my desire as queen to ensure that the monarchy always shapes itself in keeping with the times. Sometimes, this means that difficult decisions must be made, and it will always be difficult to find the right moment,” she said in a statement.
“This adjustment. . . is intended to be a mandatory continuation of the monarchy. . . I made my resolution as a queen, mother and grandmother. But, as a mother and grandmother, I underestimated how much my youngest son and his I am sorry for my family circle. It causes a great impression and I’m sorry. “
Queen Margrethe is the mother of two children. (Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Images)
“It’s never fun to see your children being abused in this way,” Joachim told the Ekstra Bladet in Paris. “They. . . they put themselves in a situation they don’t understand. “
When asked how this resolution affected his relationship with his mother, Joachim replied, “I don’t think I want to give more details here. “
Joachim remained silent after his mother’s announcement.
QUEEN MARGRETHE II OF DENMARK ANNOUNCES SHE IS STEPPING DOWN FROM THE THRONE: ‘NOW IS THE RIGHT TIME’
Queen Margrethe rides in a horse-drawn coach from the Christian IX Palace in Amalienborg to Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen, Denmark, Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. (Emil Nicolai Helms/Ritzau Scanpix AP)
“It is not uncommon for European monarchs to abdicate in favor of their middle-aged children,” Spence said. “With the departure of Queen Elizabeth II from the United Kingdom, we will see a replacement among Europe’s aging monarchs in the coming years. Keep an eye on Sweden and Norway. “
Margrethe said the back surgery she underwent in early 2023 made her “think about the future” and when to hand over everyday crown duties to her son.
“The time was right,” he said in his speech.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Stephanie Nolasco covers in Foxnews. com.