Denmark's Queen Margrethe II intends to abdicate on January 14, the 83-year-old said on Sunday in her televised New Year's address.
The resignation coincides with her 52nd anniversary on the throne. In her annual speech, which is always closely followed by the Danes, Margrethe referred to her back operation this year.
The operation had gone well thanks to health staff, but had made her think about her future as queen. During her rehabilitation, she cancelled numerous appointments or was represented by her son Crown Prince Frederik, 55, and his wife Mary, 51.