Queen Margrethe of Denmark Attends the Funeral of Queen Elizabeth

Photo credit: JOHN SIBLEY - Getty Images
Photo credit: JOHN SIBLEY - Getty Images
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There's no shortage of royalty at the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, but even among the noble titles, there are a few figures who stand out. One of those: Queen Margrethe of Denmark, now the longest reigning queen in Europe and a longtime friend of Queen Elizabeth. The monarch is attending the funeral, along with her heir, Crown Prince Frederik, and her daughter-in-law, Crown Princess Mary.

Just days after the death of Elizabeth—who marked her 70th year on the throne this summer with her Platinum Jubilee—Margrethe had a jubilee of her own; in her case, her Golden Jubilee honoring 50 years as monarch. During the festivities, the queen led a moment of silence in homage to the passing of her friend. Over the years, Margrethe has shared about her closeness with the late queen, saying "She has always been somebody I have admired. I also happen to know her very well, or fairly well anyway," in 2012. She also revealed earlier this year that they called one another by their nicknames—"Lilibet" for Elizabeth and "Daisy" for her—explaining, "We are definitely affectionate, but I don't want to splash it all over the place."

In fact, both queens could trace their lineage back to another iconic female monarch, Queen Victoria, making them distant cousins.

In the wake of Elizabeth's death, Margrethe shared a message of condolence with King Charles III, writing,"Your mother was very important to me and my family. She was a towering figure among the European monarchs and a great inspiration to us all. We shall miss her terribly."

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