Queen Margrethe's Life in Photos
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In 1972, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark succeeded her father, King Frederick IX, becoming the first female Danish monarch in centuries. (The last was Margrethe I, who ruled the Scandinavian kingdoms from 1375 to 1412.) She only succeeded her father because of a relatively recent constitutional amendment that allowed women to inherit the throne.
Margrethe was born at Frederik VIII's Palace on April 16, 1940—just one week after Nazi Germany invaded Denmark. Her parents, King Frederick IX and Queen Ingrid, were both members of royal families: Frederick was the eldest son of Denmark's King Christian X and Queen Alexandrine (who were also monarchs of Iceland until 1944), and Ingrid was the only daughter of King Gustaf VI Adolf of Sweden and his first wife, Princess Margaret.
"We represent a very long story, and that's the story of our own country," she told the BBC during the celebration of her 40th year on the throne. "It is not a life sentence, but a life of service." On New Year's Eve 2023, Queen Margrethe announced she plans to abdicate for her son, Prince Frederik, and on January 14, 2024, she officially abdicated, making her son the new King Frederik X.
As Queen Margrethe celebrates her 84th birthday, take a look back through her royal life, in photos.
1940
King Christian X holding Princess Margrethe in an undated photo from 1940.
A baby Princess Margrethe with her parents—then the Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Ingrid. Margrethe's full name is Margrethe Alexandrine Þórhildur Ingrid, named for her maternal grandmother Crown Princess Margaret of Sweden, paternal grandmother Queen Alexandrine, her mother Ingrid, and Þórhildur is a nod towards King Christian being the King of Iceland.
Read more: 40+ photos of the Danish Royal Family through the years.
1941 - 1942
In this portrait of Princess Margrethe, she holds a teddy bear who wears shoes.
1945
During World War II, Nazi Germany occupied Denmark. In 1945, following the liberation of Copenhagen, Prince Gustaf Adolf of Sweden (left) reunited with his daughter, Princess Ingrid, and met his granddaughters, Margrethe and Benedikte.
In 2020, Queen Margrethe shared her memories of liberation: "I woke up when I heard people in the streets, not outside my window, but not far from it... I was not chased back to bed. They gave me a big hug."
"Then my father came and said, 'it is peace, the war is over,'" she recounts. "I did not really understand what that meant, but I understood that all the people were very happy. I have always remembered that evening in detail. That evening must be one of my earliest memories that I can remember so well."
1946
The Danish royals pose with newborn Princess Anne-Marie (in Ingrid's arms).
1946
During a Christmas celebration, Princess Margrethe (right) wears a wreath of candles—a Swedish tradition—and her younger sister Princess Benedikte (left) is dressed as an angel.
1950
The three Danish princesses wore matching dresses in a portrait taken in Copenhagen. From left to right: Anne-Marie, age 4, Margrethe, age 10, and Benedikte, age 6.
1952
In 1952, the Danish royals traveled to England. Queen Ingrid smiles at the camera, with her arms resting on Benedikte's shoulders. Margrethe, far right, is aged 12.
1953
Margrethe's nickname is Daisy, a common diminutive of the English version of her name, Margaret.
1953
The original caption for this photo reads "Denmark's rugged King Frederik has some fun with his three daughters while spending some leisure time at the family's summer residence in Fredensborg." This photo was taken shortly after a new constitution declared Princess Margrethe heir to the Danish throne.
1954
Princess Margrethe, nearly 14, on a ski vacation in Norway.
1954
Princess Margrethe accompanied her mother Queen Ingrid on a royal engagement.
1955
In 1955, Princess Margrethe was confirmed to the Church of Fredensborg's Palace. In this portrait, she poses between her parents.
1958
This photograph—of Margrethe in a glamorous off-the-shoulder gown—marked the princesses's 18th birthday, and her coming of age according to Danish Royal Law.
1958
Upon turning 18, Margrethe took a seat in King Frederik's cabinet.
1960
She traveled with her parents on a royal visit to Greenland in 1960.
1960
The same year, she undertook a tour of America with two other princesses: Princess Astrid of Norway and Princess Margaretha of Sweden. (Margrethe is far right.) Here, the three princesses stop at Disneyland in Anaheim, California.
1960
In 1960, Princess Margrethe went to London to study prehistoric archeology at Cambridge. She has a long-lasting passion for archeology, and has participated in excavations over the years.
1963
Margrethe and her sisters in traditional Danish clothing. A year later, her youngest sister, Princess Anne-Marie would marry King Constantine of Greece and become queen consort of Greece.
1965
After leaving Cambridge, the princess attended Aarhus University from 1961 to 1962. and the Sorbonne in 1963. In 1965, she studied at the London School of Economics. She's pictured here in London, before starting at LSE.
1966
In 1966, Princess Margrethe announced her engagement to Count Henri de Laborde de Monpezat, a third secretary in the French Embassy in London.
1966
The two waved to crowds after the announcement of their engagement.
1967
A year later, they were married at the Holmen Church in Copenhagen, and Henri became Prince Henrik of Denmark.
1967
On her wedding day, Margrethe rode in a carriage with her father King Frederik IX.
1968
In 1968, Margrethe and Henrik welcomed their first child. In Danish tradition, kings are named, alternating, Frederik or Christian. Because her father was Frederik, Margrethe took the "Christian" cycle, and named her firstborn son Frederik. When he inherits the throne one day, he will be King Frederik X.
1970
Margrethe and Henrik's second son, Joachim, was born in 1969. Here, the young family poses for a family portrait.
1972
King Frederick IX died in 1972, and Margrethe succeeded at the age of 31. In her first address to Denmark, the-now Queen Margrethe II said, "My beloved father, our King, is dead. The task that my father had carried for nearly 25 years is now resting on my shoulders. I pray to God to give me help and strength to carry the heavy heritage. May the trust that was given to my father also be granted to me."
This photograph was her first official portrait as Queen.
1973
Even as Queen, she still was raising her two young sons. Here, she goes sledding with Prince Frederik.
1979
Margrethe has numerous tiaras she wears; this is the Alexandrine Diamond Drop Tiara, given to her by her grandmother Queen Alexandrine on her 18th birthday.
1980
A formal portrait of Henrik and Margrethe on her 40th birthday.
1980
Queen Margrethe and Queen Elizabeth have much in common—both ascended the throne at young ages, and they even share a distant ancestor. Over the years, the two queens have developed a close friendship; Margrethe calls Elizabeth "Lilibet"and Elizabeth calls Margrethe "Daisy."
"We are definitely affectionate, but I don't want to splash it all over the place," Margrethe shared.
1981
Like the British queen, Margrethe is a longtime dog lover—favoring dachshunds over corgis.
1982
A regal portrait of Margrethe on the 10th anniversary of her reign.
1983
Every summer since 1974, Queen Margrethe II and Prince Henrik travel to Cahors, France, where they spend time at Château de Cayx. Henrik's family is from France, and had been residing in nearby Albas, so it was especially meaningful for him to travel to the region.
The photos of Margrethe and Henrik from their summers in France over the years showed the royal couple at their most relaxed.
1992
Margrethe's fashion is quirky and loud—in the best way. "Royals are often partial to colour, but Queen Margrethe’s take on royal style is very bold," Danish designer Julie Brøgger told British Vogue. "Because she’s an artist, she has a totally different understanding of colour. She’s a tall woman of a different stature than most other queens, so she’s able to carry more dramatic shapes. She’s a bit sprightlier than her royal peers, perhaps, but she’s also queen of a completely different monarchy than England, for instance."
1995
Margrethe takes her "Daisy" nickname literary, and has a large collection of daisy-themed jewelry—including these beloved earrings.
1996
She shows in a glamorous get-up when necessary.
1999
Margrethe (spot the daisy earrings!) and Henrik during their summer vacation in France.
2000
Queen Margrethe and Queen Elizabeth posed together during a reception in England. "She has always been somebody I have admired. I also happen to know her very well, or fairly well anyway," Margrethe said in 2012.
2001
At a costume gala in Sweden, Queen Margrethe wore a
Elizabethan era-inspired get up. She is not afraid to go the extra mile with her fashion.
2002
Queen Margrethe pictured in the Baden Palmette Tiara, with heart-shaped designs. She often wears this tiara to royal weddings—like to this Norwegian royal wedding in 2002.
2003
Margrethe embraces vacation mode in Cahors, including going shopping with her own basket.
2004
Margrethe opted for a bold pink outfit for the wedding of her son Prince Frederik to Mary Donaldson, the future Princess Mary. According to the Court Jeweller, this avant-garde tiara was made for her in 1976 by Arje Griesgst.
2006
The Danish royals and their dachshunds pictured on holiday in France. (Notice Margrethe's earrings!)
2008
Margrethe and Henrik attend their son Prince Joachim's second wedding. He was married to Alexandra Manley from 1995 to 2005, and to Marie Cavallier starting in 2008.
2010
Queen Margrethe leading the crowd in song during her 70th birthday celebrations at Amaienborg Castle in Copenhagen.
2011
Margrethe opted for a cozy sweater and matching red hat as she watched nordic ski championships in Oslo, Norway.
2012
At the London Olympics in 2012, Margrethe wore the red of Denmark's flag—and her signature daisy jewelry.
2013
Queen Margrethe and her sisters during their annual summer trip to
Gråsten Palace.
2014
Margrethe, again, at Gråsten Palace—pictured here with her grandsons. Margrethe has numerous hobbies, including painting, illustrations under the pseudonym Ingahild Grathmer, and costume design.
2017
Margrethe designed this jacket, which she calls her "happy" raincoat.
2018
In 2018, her beloved husband Prince Henrik passed away at Fredensborg Palace. Here, Queen Margrethe of Denmark departed from the funeral in Copenhagen, Denmark.
2020
During the pandemic, Margrethe didn't slow down—she celebrated her 80th birthday. She also became the first European royal to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
2021
Queen Margrethe posed for a photo at a viewpoint over National Park Thy in Hanstholm during her summer voyage.
2021
She accompanied her son, Prince Frederik, during a visit to Germany.
2021
During that visit to Germany, Queen Margrethe attended a state banquet in a glamorous green dress and a pearl tiara, the Pearl Poiré Tiara.
2022
She met with Kate Middleton and her daughter-in-law Princess Mary.
Kensington Palace described Kate's meeting with Queen Margrethe as “a timely reminder of the longstanding relationship between the two Royal Families and will coincide with The Platinum and Golden Jubilees being enjoyed this year.”
Read more: the Best Photos from Kate Middleton's Trip to Copenhagen
2022
Recently, the Queen celebrated Princess Isabella's confirmation in Fredensborg.
Wearing her daisy earrings (of course!), Margrethe inaugurated her artworks at the Henri Martin museum in Cahors.
2022
Queen Margrethe scaled back her Golden Jubilee celebrations in light of the death of Queen Elizabeth. "Your mother was very important to me and my family," she wrote to King Charles III. "She was a towering figure among the European monarchs and a great inspiration to us all." At the gala performance (pictured here), Margrethe led a moment of silence for her friend.
2022
For the gala diner at Christiansborg palace celebrating her 50 years on the throne, Margrethe opted for a statement blue gown. Upon the death of Queen Elizabeth, Queen Margrethe becomes Europe's only reigning queen and the longest-serving living monarch in the world.
2022
Queen Margrethe attended Queen Elizabeth's funeral with her son, Crown Prince Frederick. The day before the funeral, the two paid their respects to Elizabeth's coffin lying in state at Westminster Hall.
2022
Queen Margrethe got in the holiday spirit early in 2022. In October, she revealed the annual special Christmas stamp—which celebrates her golden jubilee and Fredensborg Castle's 300 year anniversary. The stamp also incorporated art from the three stamps the Queen herself previously drew.
2023
In mid-April, Queen Margrethe appeared in public for the first time since undergoing major back surgery. She waved to gathered crowds at Fredensborg Castle, and used a walking stick.
2023
She was in good spirits as she waved to crowds from the balcony of Amalienborg Palace in celebration of her 83rd birthday.
2023
The Danish queen looked patriotic in an ensemble seemingly inspired by the flag of Denmark, and her trademark daisy earrings, as she celebrated Constitution Day.
2023
Queen Margrethe welcomed King Harald V of Norway on a visit to Copenhagen.
2023
Queen Margrethe and her sister Princess Benedikte wave to the public during their summer vacation at Graasten Castle.
2023
Queen Margrethe, joined by her son Prince Frederik and daughter-in-law Princess Mary, welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska to Christiansborg Castle in Copenhagen.
2023
Queen Margrethe waved from the balcony of Amalienborg palace with her two heirs, Prince Christian (center) and Crown Prince Frederik (right), on Christian's 18th birthday.
2023
During a gala celebrating her grandson Prince Christian's 18th birthday, Queen Margrethe gave a speech.
2023
In her New Year's Speech, Queen Margrethe made a shocking announcement: She would abdicate the throne in two weeks in favor of her son, Prince Frederik.
"The support and assistance that I have received over the years has been decisive for me being able to carry out my task. It is my hope that the new royal couple will be met with the same trust and affection that I have received. They deserve it! Denmark deserves it!"
2024
After signing the declaration of abdication, Queen Margrethe II leaves the room, saying "God Save the King" on her way out.
2024
Queen Margrethe and her sister, Princess Benedikte, attended the Danish Parliament's celebration of the succession of the throne—Margrethe's first appearance after abdicating.
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