Queen Margrethe II of Denmark abdicated the throne after a 52-year reign and will be succeeded by her son, Crown Prince Frederik, on January 14, 2023. She is the longest reigning head of state in Europe, and her life has been marked by her passion for the arts, love of smoking, and public outings. Margrethe was known for her bond with Queen Elizabeth II and close relationship with the English monarch. Her reign saw various changes in the Danish monarchy, including a referendum allowing women to inherit the throne and the removal of royal titles from Prince Joachim's children.