I sure was not expecting this today, especially given her statements in the past. But, given what she said in her speech it seems that her sugery (and likely other things like additional limiting health issues), maybe the death of QEII, gave her pause and during her rehabilitation (which no one knows how difficult that really may have been) to think about the future and what was best for the monarchy.
She certainly cannot be begrudged a well-deserved and well-earned retirement to rest, relax, give more time to her passions/hobbies and, at the same time, watch as her son/heir take and DIL take over and move the monarchy forward. She can still attend the bling events and even still have an engagement here and there (as Princess Beatrix does). Plus she can also be there to support and advise Frederik. Thus, this transition can be seen as a happy occasion for everyone, even if with bittersweet undertones.
It is obvious to me that this is not something she just woke up on December 31st and decided to have a "drop the mic" moment at the end of her speech. This, imo, has been in the planning stages for months. There are too many variables and logistics to handle to just decide this with two weeks notice. This, again imo, has been in process bts and strictly on a need-to-know basis with only the necessary personnel and staff involved. She did not just spring this on the PM and government.
In this context, Mary taking a longer holiday to Australia and then the family going to New Zealand makes sense. Maybe Mary wanted to tell her family in person about the huge change that was about to happen and spend some longer quality time with her family. And the CP family wanted some quiet time before this was announced to the public.
This is no way was a last minute decision. Nor do I believe there is some machination by QMII to make Frederik King for any other reason than she believes it is time for this transition and Frederik, Mary and Christian are more than ready for this change. She has said many times that she has confidence in Frederik and that he is ready for this role. She is not going to hand over the reigns to Frederik if she did not believe he was ready, committed and fully prepared to take on the responsibility.
It will be interesting how the program/events will happen going forward. This is the first time that in DK in centuries that a change in monarch is not resulting from the death of the reigning monarch. Usually, it is quite a somber transition with a country in grief. Any Dane on this thread, please correct me if I am wrong in that assumption. So, given that this transition happens because one monarch steps down and another steps in and it is more of a happy tone, will there be any type of celebratory banquet. A way to mark this really unprecedented event.
Also, it is a special touch that the transition will happen on January 14th. I wonder if this become more the norm in DK if January 14th will become the set date for any transition of this type.
As for the issue of royal jewels. Mary will now be the one to wear the Crown Jewels as Queen consort. QMII may pass on to Mary some of her own pieces for her use. I assume she will continue to wear the ruby parure as Queen Ingrid did. But, I think QMII will keep some pieces for herself to wear when/if she attends events where tiaras are required, especially ones that were personal gift to her. I doubt she will have to ask Mary for permission or anything like that.
Also, I wonder if now Mary will finally be made a commander of the Danneborg that she will be Queen consort.
Question: Will the Order of the Elephants now all be changed to Frederik's monogram as King or will all those orders issued under QMII remain with her monogram as they were awarded under her reign? There will also be a new family order as well. Will all the CP kids receive a family order now that their father is King? or do they have to be of age? So many logistics to consider, handle, address and officially put into motion that there is no way this has not been in the works for a significant amount of time. I mean will even the names of certain things such as the CPC Awards and their centers at the universities in Aarhus and Copenhagen respectively - will those have a name change?
I truly wish QMII a well-deserved and well-earned rest. I hope that she and her sisters can spend some sister time together as well. QMII has made her mark on the monarchy and the DRF for 52 years and she has apparently stepped down while on top, popular, respected and on her terms.
