Denmark's King Frederik X ascended the throne on Sunday, succeeding his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who formally abdicated after 52 years as monarch, with big crowds gathered in the capital to witness history. The new king was later proclaimed by Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on the balcony of the parliament, Christiansborg castle, with the words "Long live King Frederik the 10th." It is a task I take on with pride, respect and joy," Frederik said in his first speech as king from the balcony overlooking large crowds of cheerful people. The new king and queen later rode by horse carriage through packed crowds in the streets of Copenhagen back to their residence, Amalienborg, a royal complex built in the 1750s and located in central Copenhagen. The new king and queen take the throne at a time of huge public support and enthusiasm for the monarchy.

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Persons: Denmark's King Frederik X, Queen Margrethe II, Margrethe, Mette Frederiksen, King Frederik the, Frederik, Mary, Princess Isabelle, Princess Josephine, Prince Vincent, Kasper Wiigh Larsen, Danes Organizations: of State Locations: Danish, Denmark, Christiansborg, Copenhagen, Amalienborg