Denmark's Queen Margrethe II, who is Europe's longest-serving monarch, surprised her nation by announcing her abdication during a New Year address on TV.

She would abdicate the throne on January 14.

She will end her 52-year rule.

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

"I will hand over the throne to my son Crown Prince Frederik," she said.

She is the only reigning queen in the world at present.

The 83-year-old took charge of the throne after her father King Frederik IX died in 1972.

Unlike British royal tradition, there will be no formal crowning ceremony for Crown Prince Frederik, who is 55. Instead, his accession will be announced from Amalienborg Castle in Copenhagen on the day, BBC reported.

Princess Mary will become the country's Queen Consort.

Denmark people hoped that she would reign until her death.

"She is to us what Queen Elizabeth was to you," Danish journalist Tine Gotzsche told the BBC.