January 14, 2024 Press Release WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), Chair of the Congressional Friends of Denmark Caucus, released the following statement today after Queen Margrethe II signed her abdication: “As Chair of the Congressional Friends of Denmark Caucus and as a very proud Danish-American, I thank Denmark's Queen Margrethe II for her decades of leadership and service as she abdicates the throne today. For 52 years, she has served the people of Denmark with great virtue and grace. She has faithfully represented Denmark, the Danish people, and Denmark's culture both at home and abroad. I know her son, Crown Prince Frederik, will do the same as king. “It has been a privilege to meet Queen Margrethe, Crown Prince Frederik, and other members of their family throughout my 42 years in Congress. I was honored to visit Queen Margrethe at her palace in Copenhagen shortly after I was named a Knight of the Dannebrog in 2009, and I was pleased to host her during her visit to the United States Capitol Building in 2011. I also fondly remember welcoming Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary to my office and having dinner with them during their 2016 visit to the United States. “I have no doubt that Queen Margrethe's service to the people of Denmark will continue even after she abdicates. She and her incredible family have the gratitude of the Danish people and all of us of Danish heritage, as well as that of the American people. I look forward to seeing Denmark's principled and courageous leadership on the world stage continue under King Frederik X. I know he will strengthen the bond between Denmark and America, just as Queen Margrethe did.”