Danish Act of Succession
Encyclopedia
The Danish Act of Succession of March 27, 1953 was accepted after a 1953 referendum
in Denmark
and dictates the rules governing the Line of succession to the Danish Throne
. The 1953 referendum changed the act so that it became possible for a woman to inherit the throne in the event that she has no older or younger brothers, a system known as male preference primogeniture
. As the reigning King Frederick IX had three daughters and no sons, this meant that Princess Margrethe
became the Heir Presumptive
instead of her uncle Prince Knud. As Frederick IX's wife Ingrid of Sweden
was not expected to (and in fact did not) have any more children, this effectively ensured that Princess Margrethe would become Queen of Denmark, which she did.
A referendum
was held on June 7, 2009 on changing the Act of Succession so that primogeniture no longer puts males over females. In other words, the first-born child would become heir to the throne regardless of gender. The expected result of the referendum was on the balance, since 40% of the entire electorate had to vote yes in order to make the change. However the succession amendment was confirmed by a larger turnout especially in rural areas. The change of the act had no effect on the actual line of succession at that time.
Danish constitutional and electoral age referendum, 1953
A constitutional and electoral age referendum as held in Denmark on 28 May 1953. Both proposals were approved by voters, leading to both a new constitution taking effect on 5 June, and the electoral age being lowered from 25 to 23 years, also starting on 5 June...
in Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
and dictates the rules governing the Line of succession to the Danish Throne
Line of succession to the Danish Throne
Denmark used a system of male-preference primogeniture until 2009. The male preference cognatic primogeniture was changed in favour of an absolute primogeniture...
. The 1953 referendum changed the act so that it became possible for a woman to inherit the throne in the event that she has no older or younger brothers, a system known as male preference primogeniture
Primogeniture
Primogeniture is the right, by law or custom, of the firstborn to inherit the entire estate, to the exclusion of younger siblings . Historically, the term implied male primogeniture, to the exclusion of females...
. As the reigning King Frederick IX had three daughters and no sons, this meant that Princess Margrethe
Margrethe II of Denmark
Margrethe II is the Queen regnant of the Kingdom of Denmark. In 1972 she became the first female monarch of Denmark since Margaret I, ruler of the Scandinavian countries in 1375-1412 during the Kalmar Union.-Early life:...
became the Heir Presumptive
Heir Presumptive
An heir presumptive or heiress presumptive is the person provisionally scheduled to inherit a throne, peerage, or other hereditary honour, but whose position can be displaced by the birth of an heir or heiress apparent or of a new heir presumptive with a better claim to the position in question...
instead of her uncle Prince Knud. As Frederick IX's wife Ingrid of Sweden
Ingrid of Sweden
Ingrid of Sweden was a Swedish princess and the queen consort of King Frederick IX of Denmark.-Background:...
was not expected to (and in fact did not) have any more children, this effectively ensured that Princess Margrethe would become Queen of Denmark, which she did.
A referendum
Danish Act of Succession referendum
A referendum on changing the Danish Act of Succession, the rules governing the succession to the Danish throne, was held in Denmark, the Faroe Islands, and Greenland on 7 June 2009, simultaneously with the election to the European Parliament, in mainland Denmark .The law, which passed with 85.4% of...
was held on June 7, 2009 on changing the Act of Succession so that primogeniture no longer puts males over females. In other words, the first-born child would become heir to the throne regardless of gender. The expected result of the referendum was on the balance, since 40% of the entire electorate had to vote yes in order to make the change. However the succession amendment was confirmed by a larger turnout especially in rural areas. The change of the act had no effect on the actual line of succession at that time.