Queen Margrethe of Denmark posts a touching message thanking royal fans for the 'great and warm' tributes she received on her abdication

Queen Margrethe abdicated on January 14 and was succeeded by  King Frederik READ MORE: Denmark's Queen Margrethe II announces shock abdication in New Year's Eve speech

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark today posted a heartfelt message on Instagram thanking the people of the Commonwealth for ‘the great and warm’ tributes she received following her abdication ‘exactly a month ago.’

The former monarch, who told the nation she would be stepping down in her traditional New Year’s Eve address, abdicated on January 14 after 52 years on the throne.

One of the most popular public figures in Denmark, Margrethe’s announcement was met with an outpouring of emotion, which prompted many to send cards and gifts the 83-year-old royal.

Posted by the official Instagram account of the Danish royal household, Margrethe’s message thanked ‘everyone who has either written, drawn, baked, knitted…or otherwise sent a greeting on the occasion of the change of throne.’

Her message was accompanied by a photo of some of the decorative cards she received, including one which depicts the former queen in evening dress and wearing a crown.

Queen Margrethe received cards and gifts from people at home and abroad, with one depicting her in full evening dress and wearing a crown (left)

The royal announced she would be stepping down in her traditional address to the nation on New Year’s Eve and abdicated two weeks later on January 14

Another showed a very rosy-faced Margrethe, also with a crown on top of her head, and was accompanied by a short message.

Published originally in Danish, Margrethe’s post read as follows:

‘Since the turn of the year, I have been pleased to experience the great and warm attention from all parts of the Commonwealth in connection with my abdication exactly one month ago.

‘Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the gifts I have received, and to everyone who has either written, drawn, baked, knitted, flagged, sung or otherwise sent a greeting on the occasion of the change of throne. The many greetings have gone to my heart and I have appreciated each one. Queen Margrethe.’

Garnering almost 900 likes in less than an hour, the post and the cards featured alongside clearly touched social media users, with a number sharing heart emojis to indicate their respect for the former monarch.

Queen Margrethe, famed for her chain-smoking as well as her flamboyant sense of style, has been succeeded by her eldest son Crown Prince Frederik.

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.

Margrethe posted a message on Instagram to say thank you for all the support she has received since announcing her abdication

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

‘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.’