The New King of Denmark, Frederik X, Attends Parliament

The new King of Denmark, Frederik X, appeared before the country's lawmakers today, Monday, and received full support from Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, whose party has faced challenges in dealing with the monarchy. The parliamentary meeting was held to celebrate Frederik (55 years old) taking the throne in his first official duty as king. Frederiksen announced his ascension yesterday, Sunday, in front of nearly 174,000 jubilant people gathered in the capital amid near-freezing temperatures. Denmark follows a constitutional monarchy system, which means the king, as head of state, must sign new laws before they can take effect, but official power remains with the elected government and parliament. The new royal couple will take the throne at a time when the monarchy enjoys significant public support in the country, which has a population of about six million.