Queen Margaret of Denmark announced today that she will abdicate in January.
Queen Margaret IIfull name Margrethe Alexandrine Þorhildur Ingridwas crowned Queen of Denmark on 14 January 1972. The King of Frederick IX and the queen Ingrid’s the eldest daughter was 31 years old when she became queen.
On January 14, 2024, Margaret will abdicate after 52 years of reign. The Queen announced the matter in her New Year’s speech.
Margareeta announced on New Year’s Eve that she would step aside as monarch. Reuters
Margaret is the first female monarch of the Danish monarchy. In addition, she is currently the world’s only reigning queen and the longest-serving female head of state.
Historic
At the time, it was by no means obvious that Margareta would become the heir to the crown, as she was not one at birth. When the election of a new ruler once came, Denmark still had a law that only a man could ascend the throne.
Margaret wasn’t supposed to be queen in the first place. In the picture, King Fredrik IX and Princess Margrethe, who turned 18. PDO
At first, after King Fredrik IX, his younger brother was planned to be the ruler, because only girls had been born to the royal couple. However, Margaret was considered so suitable for the role of queen that Denmark finally organized a referendum on the matter. With the vote, the constitution was finally changed so that a woman could also become a ruler.
Margareeta has enjoyed popularity among the people for decades. One of the reasons for this has been considered to be that over the years he has also shown the people his human side instead of a polished shell.
Margareeta was 31 years old when she came to power in 1972. PDO
The Queen is known as a woman with a sense of humor who is not afraid to speak her mind. He has also smoked very openly for years.
– I smoke wherever I can find an ashtray, Margareeta is said to have stated unequivocally.
In recent years, however, the queen has not appeared with a cigarette in her mouth. The court has announced that the queen will only smoke in private in the future.
Margareeta has enjoyed great popularity over the years. PDO
A talented artist
Queen Margaret is also known as a lover of art and is a talented artist herself. During her career, the Queen has, among other things, set costumes for plays, painted paintings and illustrated books. Margareeta’s art has even been seen in Danish Lord of the Rings on the pages of the book. As an artist, she has used the name Ingahild Grathmer.
Dogs are also close to Margareta’s heart, and she has owned several dachshunds during her life. The Queen is known to spend her free time jogging with her beloved dogs.
In addition, Margareeta is known for her tongue, as she has a good command of several languages.
Queen Margareeta and Prince Henrik got married in 1967. Two years later, the family had two little boys. PDO
Family
Queen Margareeta has aroused warm feelings in the nation also because of her love life. He once met a French diplomat, Count of Henri de Laborde de Monpezat before his rise to power, and the couple married in 1967.
Margareeta has told over the years that it was a love union. He has also stated that he would never have even gotten married if he hadn’t found a partner by his side, whom he feels is the love of his life. The couple was married for more than 50 years. Prince Henrik died at the age of 83 in February 2018.
Margareta and Henrik’s love lasted strong until the prince’s death. PDO
The couple had two sons, the crown prince Frederik’s and the prince Joachim’s. Currently, Margareeta has eight grandchildren.
An uproar about titles
In autumn 2022, Margareeta made the radical decision to remove the royal titles from Joachim’s four children. The decision came as a shock not only to the Danish people, but also to the royal family itself.
– It has been important to me that Frederik did not have to make such a decision. It is better that I, the old woman, make the decision, Margareeta commented on her decision.
From the beginning of 2023, the prince Nicholas23, a prince Felix20, a prince Henrik13, and a princess Athena, 10, is known only as the Count or Countess of Monpezat. The titles of prince and princess are no longer used for them. They are also not called Royal Highnesses but Excellencies.
Over the years, the family has grown. In the picture taken in the spring of 2023, Margaree is represented laughing with her two sons, their spouses and eight grandchildren. PDO
The decision was publicly criticized by Joachim, his ex-wife and Felix and Nikolai’s mother, the countess Alexandra like Nikolai himself.
However, Margareeta is not shaken by her decision.
– I have made my decision as a queen, mother and grandmother. But as a mother and grandmother, I underestimated how much my decision would affect my younger son and his family. The decision has big consequences and I am sorry for them, the queen reacted to the criticism with an article published on the court’s Instagram.
Margaret has been considered a monarch with a sense of humor. The picture shows the Queen laughing with her daughter-in-law, Crown Princess Mary. PDO
Back pain
In February 2023, 82-year-old Margareeta had back surgery. Margareeta, recovering from the operation, even missed the family’s traditional Easter celebration in Århus.
However, in April, Margareeta delighted the citizens when she greeted the torchlight procession from the balcony of Fredensborg Castle.
Margareeta occasionally stood up for a moment to wave, but mainly she sat on her chair with her bouquet of flowers. Margareeta also had a walking stick for safety. Dressed in a black fur coat, the queen looked healthy and smiling.
Margaret has two sons, Crown Prince Frederik and Prince Joachim. In a couple of weeks, Frederik will become king. PDO
Margareeta has suffered from back problems before. The back was operated on for the last time in 2003. A year later, the monarch attended events only sitting.
Over the years, Margareeta has also suffered from arthritis and cervical cancer.
The most recent back surgery made the queen reflect on her career and state that the time has come to let the next generation take over.
On Sunday, January 14, Margaree will step aside and Frederik, the future ruler named King Frederik X, will become the ruler of Denmark.
Queen Margaret abdicates her crown. PDO