Charles and Camilla send Crown Prince Frederik and his wife Mary their 'very best wishes' as they become King and Queen of Denmark - and pay tribute to Margrethe's 'many years of service

Charles and Camilla have sent their 'best wishes' to the new King and Queen Queen Margrethe II abdication LIVE: Denmark prepares to proclaim Prince Frederik their new king 

King Charles and Queen Camilla have sent their ‘very best wishes’ to the newly crowned  King Frederik X and Queen Mary of Denmark as they have today ascended the throne.

The message, shared by Buckingham Palace also paid tribute to Margrethe II -Europe’s longest-reigning monarch – whose surprise abdication on New Year’s Eve shocked the nation.

‘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,’ Charles, 75, penned in the address to Frederik and Mary.

‘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.’

King Charles and Queen Camilla (pictured last month) have sent their ‘very best wishes’ to the newly crowned King Frederik X and Queen Mary of Denmark as they have today ascended the throne

Charles also reminisced of Frederik and Mary’s attendance of his own Coronation in May, adding that he was ‘delighted’ they were able to make it.

‘I much look forward to future opportunities to celebrate the close connection that unites our countries and our families,’ he concluded.

Today has seen Denmark welcome Crown Prince Frederik and his wife Crown Princess Mary as their new King and Queen – and the excitement was kicking off as early as last night.

Margrethe, who has ruled the nation for more than 52 years was on Saturday evening seen listening to the public sing to her in Copenhagen.

Danish royalists took to the streets of Copenhagen this weekend and waved red and white flags to honour their beloved queen in a video posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The clip captured the public singing to Margrethe outside Amalienborg, Margrethe’s winter residence.

One of the windows to the palace was left wide open, so that she could hear those who came to sing to her.

And as reported by the Guardian, hotels and accommodation in the Danish capital are booked and busy.

Charles also reminisced of Frederik and Mary’s attendance of his own Coronation in May, adding that he was ‘delighted’ they were able to make it

Rikke Holm Petersen, of tourist organisation Wonderful Copenhagen, told the outlet that people started securing their stays as soon as Margrethe made her announcement on New Year’s Eve.

And one restaurant working along the procession’s route added that they’ve had to recruit more staff to meet the expected demand.

The Queen, known for her chain-smoking and flamboyant style – was seen on the clip walking around her home and peering out at the crowd.

Margrethe, who in the past had said she would remain on the throne for life, did not give an exact reason for her decision to step down.

However, she said that a major back surgery she underwent in February last year had made her consider her future.

This Sunday will see Denmark welcome a new King and Queen as Crown Prince Frederik and his wife Crown Princess Mary. Pictured together in January

The historic occasion, which follows Queen Margrethe ‘s shock abdication on New Year’s Eve, is sure to be an exciting event for the nation

The first crowds have started coming together outside the palace for today’s historic stripped-back event

Early doors! Wellwishers have already started gathering at Christiansborg Palace Square ahead of Queen Margrethe’s abdication in Copenhagen

Danish royalists took to the streets of Copenhagen this weekend and waved red and white flags to honour their beloved Queen Margrethe

People pass an image of Queen Margrethe in Copenhagen, Denmark, ahead of of her passing on the throne to her son today

‘The surgery naturally gave rise to thinking about the future – whether the time had come to leave the responsibility to the next generation,’ she said in her speech.

‘I have decided that now is the right time. On January 14, 2024, 52 years after I succeeded my beloved father, I will step down as Queen of Denmark.

‘I leave the throne to my son, Crown Prince Frederik.’

The new Danish royal couple will take the throne at a time of huge public support and enthusiasm for the monarchy.

The most recent survey, which was done after the queen announced she would abdicate, indicated that 82 per cent of Danes expect Frederik to do well or very well in his new role, while 86 per cent said the same about Mary.

‘The royal family means everything that is Danish. It’s fairytales and traditions,’ said Anna Karina Laursen, 59, a nod to the country’s famous fairytale writer Hans Christian Andersen.

The Amalienborg complex, built in the 1750s, is located in central Copenhagen and consists of four palaces built around an octagonal courtyard.

It is home to both the outgoing queen and the new reigning couple.

However, a royal expert said that the Danish Queen broke an ‘invisible pact’ between Scandinavian monarchs to never abdicate.

Roger Lundberg told STV that, after Denmark’s changeover, there is a chance King Harald of Norway, 86, and King Carl Gustaf of Sweden, 79, might follow suit and step down to allow their eldest children to take the throne.