Denmark - Official Denmark - The Royal House

Denmark
1. Official Denmark
1.1 The Royal House

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1.1.1 From Elective to Hereditary Monarchy
1.1.2 Constitutional Monarchy
1.1.3 Margrethe II
1.1.4 Henrik
1.1.5 Frederik
1.1.6 Joachim and Alexandra

Photo; Margrethe II, Queen of Denmark Margrethe II,
Margrethe Alexandrine Þorhildur Ingrid, b. 16.4.1940, Queen of Denmark since 1972, daughter of King Frederik IX and Queen Ingrid. Margrethe was born at Amalienborg Palace and, being a woman, she was not heir to the throne. The new Law of Succession adopted in 1953 along with a revision of the Constitution opened the way for female succession. Thus, on her 18th birthday in 1958 Margrethe took her place in the State Council as heir to the throne. Crown Princess Margrethe took her matriculation examination in 1959 and the same year completed training as a squad leader in the Women's Flying Corps. In 1960-1965 she studied at the universities of Copenhagen, Cambridge, Århus, the Sorbonne and London, focusing on political science and archaeology. In 1967 she married the French diplomat, Comte Henri de Laborde de Monpezat, Prince Henrik, and together the couple had two sons, Frederik (b. 1968) and Joachim (b. 1969). On the death of Frederik IX on 14 January 1972, Margrethe II ascended the throne.

The Queen has engaged in translation work and made her mark artistically in several genres. As a textile artist she has created episcopal copes for Viborg Diocese and Elsinore Diocese (1986 and 1989) and chasubles for Fredensborg Castle Church (1976) and other churches. As a graphic artist Queen Margrethe has illustrated several books, and she designed the costumes for TV Theatre's performance of The Shepherdess and the Chimney Sweep (1987). One of her major works was the set design for the ballet A Folk Tale (1991).

Queen Margrethe has made a point of knowing and reaching out to all parts of the realm, and the Faeroe Islands and Greenland are favorite destinations. The Queen has also succeeded in giving her traditional New Year Message a strongly personal touch, which has helped to consolidate her popularity.

Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen is the royal residence, but one of the functions of Marselisborg Castle near Århus is to be a summer residence. Fredensborg Castle in North Zealand is used in spring and autumn. Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik also acquired a more private abode in 1974, when they purchased the Château de Caïx in Cahors, where the Queen can devote herself to her painting and other pursuits. Since 1988, her works have been displayed at several exhibitions.

Lorenz Rerup, Knud J.V. Jespersen

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