A balcony kiss as tens of thousands see Denmark get new King

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Our live coverage of this new era for Denmark is closing soon - thanks for joining us so far.

Our team was Owen Amos and Emily Atkinson in London, plus Adrienne Murray, Daniela Relph, and James Bryant in Copenhagen.

Our final post, coming next, is from Daniela - summing up an extraordinary day in Danish history.

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Tens of thousands of Danes gathered in Copenhagen to celebrate the new reign of King Frederik X. Among them was Rene Jensen, who dressed up for the occasion.

"I think he's going to be a great king. I'm looking forward to seeing how he's going to do it and see him show more of himself," he tells the AFP news agency.

Another Copenhagen local, Aske Julius, 27, calls Frederik's mother - the now former Queen, Margrethe II - "the embodiment of Denmark... the soul of the nation".

"More than half of the Danish population has never known anything else but the Queen," he says.

Proclamation now over, the King and Queen are riding in a carriage - escorted by the Guard Hussar Regiment - from Christiansborg Palace back to Frederik VIII’s Palace.

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EPACopyright: EPA

King Frederik appeared genuinely surprised by the size and response of the crowd here in Copenhagen.

He wiped away a tear as he took the moment in.

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Speaking the words, “Long live king Frederik the tenth” three times - but symbolising four corners of the kingdom - the Danish prime minister proclaimed Frederik as king of Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe Islands.

From the same balcony, Frederik then gave his first speech to the people, saying: "My hope is to become a unifying king of tomorrow.

"It's a task I've approached all my life. It's a task I've taken on with pride, respect and joy."

His words were met with huge cheers.

The King also paid tribute to his mother, and said she would always be remembered as an “extraordinary” regent.

Finally, there more cheers as Queen Mary and their four children joined Frederik on the balcony, waving to the crowd.

It’s been a historic moment for Denmark as the country welcomes a new generation of royals.

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Britain's King and Queen have sent their "very best wishes" to Denmark's new monarch - King Frederik X.

In a message shared by Buckingham Palace, King Charles III wrote: "My wife joins me in writing to convey our very best wishes on the day of your accession to the throne of the Kingdom of Denmark.

"I look forward to working with you on ensuring that the enduring bond between our countries, and our families, remains strong, and to working together with you on issues which matter so much for our countries and the wider world."

He also paid tribute to "the many years of service" of Frederik's mother, Queen Margrethe II.

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The King is now joined by his wife, Queen Consort Mary, his son Crown Prince Christian, and other members of the Danish royal family.

They wave to the crowds as the gun salute is heard in the background.

Our correspondent Daniela Relph just reported there are people "as far as the eye can see" in Copenhagen - as this new picture shows, she wasn't kidding...

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EPACopyright: EPA

It’s not just about a new King and Queen today. There's a new heir to the throne as well.

Crown Prince Christian is the eldest child of King Frederik and Queen Mary. He’s 18 and still at school - but now takes on a more significant role in public life.

In around 10 minutes, Denmark's prime minister will proclaim the succession of King Frederik X from the balcony of Christiansborg Palace - the Danish parliament.

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Denmark has a new King - this was the moment his mother, Queen Margrethe, signed the instrument of abdication after more than 50 years on the throne.

The police have now slowly moved the crowd forward to beneath the balcony at the Christiansborg Palace.

As far as the eye can see are people - tens of thousands of Danes on the streets to see the new King proclaimed as King Frederik X.

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This had been portrayed as a low-key event – not a big coronation ceremony with all the associated pomp. But it doesn’t feel low-key right now.

Central Copenhagen is at a standstill. Tens of thousands of people are here to say goodbye to the abdicating Queen - and to welcome the new King Frederik of Denmark.

ReutersCopyright: Reuters

Queen Margrethe has left Christiansborg by car having now formally abdicated.

Bells here are ringing out from church towers around central Copenhagen.

The country was stunned when they heard Queen Margrethe announce of her plans to step back, live on television, during her traditional new year’s speech.

The move is virtually unprecedented here in Denmark. The last time an abdication took place was nine centuries ago.

Most Danes have known no other Queen or King in their lifetime.

However, the initial shock and sadness has been followed by an outpouring of support and affection - and polls showed that most Danes agreed with her decision.

Crowds have been lining the streets across the city to wish her a fond farewell, and though it’s an emotional moment, the mood here is celebratory.

At the last succession, when Queen Margrethe was crowned in 1972, she was dressed in black and still in mourning following the the death of her father. This occasion is a much happier one.

And now people are rushing forward to get closer to Christiansborg to await the first glimpse of the new King Frederik on the balcony.