by Susan Flantzer  © Unofficial Royalty 2014

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Princess Marie of Denmark is the second wife of Prince Joachim of Denmark, son of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark and Henri Laborde de Monpezat. She was born Marie Agathe Odile Cavailler on February 6, 1975, in Paris, the only child of Alain Cavallier and Françoise Moreau.

Marie received her primary education in Paris, and following her parents’ divorce, she moved to Switzerland with her mother. She then enrolled at the Collège Alpin International Beau Soleil in Villars-sur-Ollen, Switzerland, graduating in 1993. She initially studied economics at a university in Geneva, and then international business and economics at Babson College in Massachusetts from 1995-1997. She then attended Manhattan Marymount College in New York, graduating in 1999 with her Bachelor’s Degree. During her education, she worked in the public relations department at Estee Lauder in Paris (1994), and ING Numismatic Group in Geneva (1997), in addition to teaching French.

Following college, Marie worked for several advertising agencies, first in New York and then in Paris. In 2004, she returned to Geneva, working for Reuters for a year, and then from 2005 until 2007, working again with ING Numismatic Group.

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Marie was first seen with Prince Joachim while on holiday in the late summer of 2005. Over the next two years, they were seen together often, and in the spring of 2007, Marie joined the Danish Royal Family for Easter at Marselisborg Palace where she reportedly met the Queen for the first time. In October 2007, it was announced that Joachim and Marie were engaged, following the Queen’s formal consent. Prior to her marriage, Marie was a French citizen and belonged to the Roman Catholic Church. Marie joined the Evangelical Lutheran Church and became a Danish citizen before her marriage. Joachim and Marie were married on May 24, 2008, at the Møgeltønder Church (link in Danish) in South Jutland, Denmark followed by the wedding banquet at Schackenborg Castle.

Marie and Joachim have two children:

• His Excellency Count Henrik of Monpezat (born 2009)
• Her Excellency Countess Athena of Monpezat (born 2012)

Princess Marie is also stepmother to Prince Joachim’s two sons from his first marriage:

• His Excellency Count Nikolai of Monpezat (born 1999)
• His Excellency Count Felix of Monpezat (born 2002)

Queen Margrethe II decided that as of January 1, 2023, the children of Prince Joachim would no longer hold the style and title of His/Her Prince/Princess. Instead, they will hold the title Count/Countess of Monpezat, with the style of His/Her Excellency. This slimming down is in keeping with recent changes in other royal families and will allow Prince Joachim’s children to pursue more independent lives and careers. The Monpezat titles come from the Queen’s late husband, Prince Henrik, who was Count of Monpezat. In 2008, Queen Margrethe granted the title to her sons and their descendants as well.

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Princess Marie has been an active member of the Danish Royal Family, taking on several patronages, including the National Association for Autism, The Danish Ski Federation, Danish Epilepsy Association, Kattegatcentret, the AIDS Foundation, and The Danish National Commission for UNESCO. In addition to her native French, Marie speaks Danish, English, Italian, and Spanish.

During the summer of 2019, Prince Joachim, Princess Marie, and their two children moved to Paris, France, where Joachim began studies in France’s highest-ranking military leadership education at École Militaire. In September 2020, Prince Joachim started work as the defense attaché at the Danish Embassy in Paris. During the summer of 2023, Princess Marie and her family moved to Washington, DC in the United States where Prince Joachim will work as the defense attaché at the Danish Embassy.

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2014

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Prince Joachim Holger Waldemar Christian of Denmark, Count of Monpezat, is the younger son of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark and Henri Laborde de Monpezat. He was born on June 7, 1969, at the Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen, Denmark.

He was christened on July 15, 1969, at Aarhus Cathedral in Aarhus, Denmark. His godparents were:

• Princess Benedikte of Denmark, his maternal aunt
• Princess Christina of Sweden, his mother’s first cousin
• Jean Baptiste de Laborde de Monpezat, his paternal uncle
• Crown Prince Harald of Norway, his mother’s second cousin (the future King Harald V of Norway)

Prince Joachim has one brother:

• King Frederik X of Denmark (born 1968), married Mary Donaldson, had four children

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Prince Joachim began his education privately at Amalienborg Palace before attending the Krebs School in Copenhagen. He spent a year at L’École des Roches, a boarding school in Normandy, France before graduating from the Øregård Gymnasium, in Hellerup, just north of Copenhagen, in 1986.

Following a gap year spent working on a farm in Australia, Prince Joachim began his military training in 1987, as a recruit in the Queen’s Own Regiment. After becoming a Lieutenant in 1989, he served as a Platoon Commander in the Prince’s Own Regiment until 1990. From 1996 to 2004, with the rank of Captain, he commanded a tank squadron in the Prince’s Own Regiment. He was promoted to Major in 2005, and then Lt. Colonel in 2001. He served as chief of the Liaison Officers Group in Total Defence Region Fyn, Syd, and Sønderjylland. (source: The Danish Royal House). In addition, during this time he studied agricultural management from 1991-1993, and worked at the A.P. Møller Maersk Group, in Hong Kong and France, to further his business education, from 1993-1995.

photo: Order of Sartorial Splendour

It was while working in Hong Kong that Prince Joachim met his first wife, Alexandra Manley. After a whirlwind romance, their engagement was announced in May 1995. They married on November 18, 1995, at the Frederiksborg Palace Chapel in Hillerød, Denmark and took up residence at Schackenborg Castle in Møgeltønder, South Jutland.

They had two sons:

• His Excellency Count Nikolai of Monpezat (born 1999)
• His Excellency Count Felix of Monpezat (born 2002)

Joachim and Alexandra separated in 2004 and were divorced the following year. Alexandra retained her title Princess of Denmark, with the lower style of Her Highness until her remarriage in 2007. In addition, the Queen had granted her the personal title of Countess of Frederiksborg with the style of Excellency, and Alexandra is now known as Her Excellency Countess Alexandra of Frederiksborg. Alexandra still occasionally attends events with the Danish royal family.

Queen Margrethe II decided that as of January 1, 2023, the four children of Prince Joachim would no longer hold the style and title of His/Her Prince/Princess. Instead, they will hold the title Count/Countess of Monpezat, with the style of His/Her Excellency. This slimming down is in keeping with recent changes in other royal families and will allow Prince Joachim’s children to pursue more independent lives and careers. The Monpezat titles come from the Queen’s late husband, Prince Henrik, who was Count of Monpezat. In 2008, Queen Margrethe granted the title to her sons and their descendants as well.

photo: Order of Sartorial Splendour

In October 2007, Prince Joachim announced his engagement to Marie Cavallier. The couple was married on May 24, 2008, at the Møgeltønder Church (link in Danish) in South Jutland, Denmark.

They had two children:

• His Excellency Count Henrik of Monpezat (born 2009)
• Her Excellency Countess Athena of Monpezat (born 2012)

Prince Joachim and his family celebrating his son Felix’s 18th birthday on July 22, 2020; Photo Credit – Danish Royal House Instagram

Prince Joachim has had a military career since 1988. During the summer of 2019, Prince Joachim, Princess Marie, and their two children moved to Paris, France, where Joachim began studies in France’s highest-ranking military leadership education at École Militaire. In September 2020, Prince Joachim started work as the defense attaché at the Danish Embassy in Paris. With the appointment, Joachim received the permanent rank of brigadier general. During the summer of 2023, Joachim and his family moved to Washington, DC in the United States where he will work as the defense attaché at the Danish Embassy.

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2014

Queen Mary of Denmark – photo: Wikipedia

Queen Mary of Denmark, the wife of King Frederik X of Denmark, was born Mary Elizabeth Donaldson on February 5, 1972, in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. She is the youngest of four children of Professor John Donaldson and Henrietta Horne. Mary’s mother passed away in 1997 and her father was remarried to British novelist Susan Horwood (aka Susan Moody).

Mary began her education in Houston, Texas, where the family was living at the time. The family returned to Tasmania and Mary continued her schooling there. Following the completion of her secondary education, she enrolled in the University of Tasmania and received a degree in Commerce and Law. She also received graduate certifications in Advertising and Marketing and worked in those fields in Australia and Scotland.

In September 2000, during the Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia, Mary met the future King Frederik X of Denmark, then the Crown Prince of Denmark, on an evening out with some mutual friends. The two quickly began a relationship and Frederik made several private trips to Australia. As her relationship with Frederik became more serious, Mary left Australia, first working in Paris, France as an English tutor before moving to Denmark and working for Microsoft. Their engagement was announced in October 2003, after Frederik’s mother Queen Margrethe II of Denmark gave her formal consent to the marriage. Mary and Frederik were married on May 14, 2004, at the Church of Our Lady in Copenhagen, Denmark.

• Unofficial Royalty: Wedding of King Frederik X of Denmark and Mary Donaldson

The Danish Royal Family on the balcony of Christansborg Palace on the day of King Frederik X’s accession to the throne. Left to right: Princess Isabella, Crown Prince Christian, King Frederik X, Queen Mary, Princess Josephine, and Prince Vincent

Mary and Frederik reside at Amalienborg (Frederik VIII’s Palace) and the Chancellery House at Fredensborg Palace with their four children:

• Crown Prince Christian of Denmark (born 2005)
• Princess Isabella of Denmark (born 2007)
• Prince Vincent of Denmark (born 2011)
• Princess Josephine of Denmark (born 2011)

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Along with what must surely be a busy family life, Mary serves as the patron to a large number of Danish organizations. While these cover a large number of areas, many have to do with health and social care issues. Internationally, she worked with the World Health Organization and was patron of the United Nations Population Fund.

King Frederik X and Queen Mary on the balcony of Christiansborg Palace after Frederik’s accession to the thone of Denmark

In her New Year’s Speech on December 31, 2023, Mary’s mother-in-law Queen Margrethe II announced that she will step down as Queen of Denmark on January 14, 2024, the 52nd anniversary of her accession. On that day, Frederik and Mary became King Frederik X of Denmark and Queen Mary of Denmark. Mary is the first Australian-born person to be queen of a monarchy.

• Unofficial Royalty: Abdication of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark and The Accession of King Frederik X of Denmark

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2014

King Frederik X of Denmark was born on May 26, 1968, at the Rigshospitalet (Copenhagen University Hospital) in Copenhagen, Denmark. He is the elder son of the two sons of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark and Count Henri de Laborde de Monpezat. At the time of his birth, his mother was heiress-presumptive to her father King Frederik IX.

• Unofficial Royalty: Ancestors of King Frederik X of Denmark

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Frederik was christened with the names Frederik André Henrik Christian on June 24, 1968, at Holmens Kirke in Copenhagen, Denmark. He was named after:

• Frederik: his maternal grandfather King Frederick IX
• André: his paternal grandfather André de Laborde de Monpezat
• Henrik: his father Prince Henrik
• Christian: his maternal great-grandfather King Christian X

Frederik’s godparents were:

• Count Etienne de Laborde de Monpezat, his paternal uncle
• Queen Anne-Marie of Greece, his maternal aunt
• Prince George of Denmark, his maternal cousin twice removed
• Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte of Luxembourg, born Joséphine-Charlotte of Belgium
• Baron Christian de Watteville-Berckheim
• Birgitta Juel Hillingsø, his mother’s friend

Frederik has one younger brother:

• Prince Joachim of Denmark (born 1969), married (1) Alexandra Manley, had two sons, divorced  (2) Marie Cavallier, had one son and one daughter

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In January 1972, his grandfather passed away and his mother became Queen. The young Frederik, not yet four years old, became the youngest Crown Prince in Europe. Crown Prince Frederik began his education privately at Amalienborg Palace before attending the Krebs School in Copenhagen. He spent a year at L’École des Roches, a boarding school in Normandy, France before completing his secondary education at the Øregård Gymnasium, in Hellerup, just north of Copenhagen.

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Frederik then began his military training, serving as a recruit in the Queen’s Life Guard Regiment of the Danish Army. After being promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, he became a Platoon Commander in the Royal Danish Hussar Regiment. The following year, in 1989, he was promoted to First Lieutenant.

Also in 1989, he began his studies in Political Science at the University of Aarhus. During this time, he spent a year at Harvard University in the United States, enrolled under the name Frederik Henriksen, and took a three-month position with the Danish United Nations mission in New York City. In 1995, he received his Master’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Aarhus.

Frederik returned to military service, training with the Royal Danish Navy Frogman Corps in 1995. He continues to be involved with all branches of the Danish forces, holding the ranks of Colonel in the Danish Army and Air Force, and Commander in the Danish Navy. The Crown Prince also served for a year as First Secretary to the Danish Embassy in Paris, and after further training at the Royal Danish Defence College, served as a Staff Officer at Defence Command. Since 2003, he has also been a lecturer at the Defence College’s Institute of Strategy.

Upon his accession to the throne on January 14, 2024, King Frederik was appointed to the highest military rank in the Army, the Navy and the Air Force respectively. As admiral and general, he is now of the same rank as the Chief of Defence.

In September 2000, during the Olympic Games in Sydney, Frederik met Mary Donaldson on an evening out with some mutual friends. The two quickly began a relationship, with Frederik making several private trips to Australia before Mary eventually relocated to Denmark. Their engagement was announced in October 2003, after Queen Margrethe had given her formal consent to the marriage. Frederik and Mary married on May 14, 2004, at the Church of Our Lady in Copenhagen, Denmark.

• Unofficial Royalty: Wedding of King Frederik X of Denmark and Mary Donaldson

Frederik and Mary reside at Amalienborg (Frederik VIII’s Palace) and the Chancellery House at Fredensborg Palace with their four children:

• Crown Prince Christian of Denmark (born 2005)
• Princess Isabella of Denmark (born 2007)
• Prince Vincent of Denmark (born 2011)
• Princess Josephine of Denmark (born 2011)

As Crown Prince, along with his military activities, Frederik undertook many official duties on behalf of his mother, both in Denmark and around the world. He is the patron of numerous organizations and charities, with many focusing on sports and health, as well as scientific research. An outspoken advocate for energy sustainability, Frederik has taken part in many international events to bring attention to the challenges of climate change, including participating in several expeditions with his fellow Scandinavian heirs Crown Prince Haakon of Norway and Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden.

A very avid sportsman, Frederik has participated in several international sailing competitions, and run marathons in Denmark, France, and the United States. In 2013, he was the first royal to compete in an Ironman competition. In 2009, Frederik became a member of the International Olympic Committee. Upon completion of his term in 2021, Frederik became an honorary member of the International Olympic Committee.

 In her New Year’s Speech on December 31, 2023, Frederik’s mother Queen Margrethe II announced that she will step down as Queen of Denmark on January 14, 2024 – the 52nd anniversary of her accession.

• Unofficial Royalty: Abdication of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark and The Accession of King Frederik X of Denmark

On January 14, 2024, the day of the abdication of his mother Queen Margrethe II and his accession to the Danish throne, Queen Margrethe II, Crown Prince Frederik, and Frederik’s elder son Prince Christian met with the Council of State in the State Council Hall at Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen. The succession of the Danish throne took place during the Council of State meeting at the moment when Queen Margrethe II signed a declaration of her abdication. Queen Margrethe then gave up her seat and offered her it to the new King. At the same time, the new heir to the throne, Crown Prince Christian, took the seat to the right of the King. After this, the visibly-moved Queen Margrethe said “Gud bevare kongen” (God save the king) and left the State Council Hall.

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen proclaimed King Frederik X’s accession to the throne

Shortly after, King Frederik X stepped out on the balcony of Christiansborg Palace and Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen proclaimed his accession to the throne. According to Danish state custom, the Prime Minister proclaimed three times: “Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II has abdicated. Long live His Majesty King Frederik X!” This was followed by the traditional ninefold cheer from the crowd of tens of thousands who turned out to witness the proclamation.

King Frederik X spoke after his proclamation as Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stood next to him

King Frederik X gave a short speech and announced his motto, “Bound, committed, for the Kingdom of Denmark.” King Frederik X said,”My mother, Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II, has ruled Denmark for 52 years. For half a century, she has followed the times with our common heritage as a starting point. She will always be remembered as a Monarch beyond the ordinary. Like few, my mother has managed to be at one with her kingdom. Today, the throne passes on. My hope is to become an unifying king of tomorrow. It’s a task I’ve been waiting for all my life. It is a responsibility I take on with respect, pride and great joy. It is a deed I will take pains to carry out and carry through the position I have been entrusted with. I need all the support I can get. From my beloved wife, from my family, from you and from that which is greater than us. I face the future knowing that I am not alone.”

Left to right: Princess Isabella, Crown Prince Christian, King Frederik X, Queen Mary, Princess Josephine, and Prince Vincent on the balcony of Christiansborg Palace after the proclamation of King Frederik X as King of Denmark.

After his speech, King Frederik X was joined on the balcony by his family: Queen Mary, Crown Prince Christian, Princess Isabella, and twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine.

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Kingdom of Denmark Resources at Unofficial Royalty

• Kingdom of Denmark Index
• Danish Orders and Honours
• Danish Royal Burial Sites: House of Oldenburg, 1448 – 1863
• Danish Royal Burial Sites: House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg, 1863 – present
• Danish Royal Christenings
• Danish Royal Dates
• Danish Royal FAQs
• Danish Royal Residences
• Danish Royal Weddings
• Line of Succession to the Danish Throne
• Profiles of the Danish Royal Family

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2014

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark; Photo: Per Morten Abrahamsen ©

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark was born as Princess Margrethe Alexandrine Þorhildur Ingrid of Denmark and Iceland on April 16, 1940, at Frederik VIII’s Palace at the Amalienborg palace complex in Copenhagen, Denmark. She was the eldest daughter of the future King Frederik IX of Denmark and Princess Ingrid of Sweden. Margrethe was also a Princess of Iceland until 1944 when Iceland became a Republic.

• Unofficial Royalty: Ancestors of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark

The infant princess was christened on May 14, 1940, in Holmens Kirke in Copenhagen. She was named Margrethe after her late maternal grandmother Crown Princess Margaret of Sweden, Alexandrine after her paternal grandmother Queen Alexandrine and Ingrid after her mother Crown Princess Ingrid. Since her paternal grandfather was also the King of Iceland, she was given an Icelandic name, Þórhildur (Thorhildur).

Her godparents were:

• King Christian X of Denmark, her paternal grandfather
• Hereditary Prince Knud of Denmark, her paternal uncle
• Prince Axel of Denmark, her paternal grandfather’s first cousin
• King Gustaf V of Sweden, her maternal great-grandfather
• Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf of Sweden, her maternal grandfather, future King Gustaf VI Adolf
• Prince Gustaf Adolf, Duke of Västerbotten, her maternal uncle
• Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught, her maternal great-grandfather, son of Queen Victoria

Queen Margrethe (middle) with her sisters Anne-Marie (left) and Benedikte (right); Credit – Wikipedia

Queen Margrethe has two sisters:

• Benedikte, Princess of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg (born 1944), married Richard, 6th Prince of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, had three children
• Queen Anne-Marie of Greece (born 1946), married King Constantine II of Greece, had five children

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In 1947, Margrethe’s grandfather died and her father became King Frederik IX. At the time, women were excluded from the line of succession. Having just three daughters, and unlikely that there would be more children, King Frederik’s heir presumptive was his younger brother, Prince Knud. Frederik soon began to work toward changing the succession laws in Denmark. Finally, in 1953, a new Act of Succession was passed, changing to male-preference cognatic primogeniture (meaning that sons would come before daughters, but in the absence of a son, Frederik’s daughters could succeed to the throne). Margrethe became the heiress-presumptive. Her uncle, Prince Knud who had held the title of Hereditary Prince of Denmark, was not very happy with the new laws, as he and his two sons were now pushed further down the line. In somewhat of a consolation, Knud was given the title Hereditary Prince Knud even though he was no longer the direct heir to the throne. However, Margrethe, as heiress-presumptive, was never given the title of Crown Princess.

Princess Margrethe began her education at the Zahle’s Skole in 1946 (privately tutored at Amalienborg Palace for the first three years). She spent a year at the North Foreland Lodge, in Hampshire, England, and then graduated from Zahle’s Skole in 1959. She then studied philosophy at the University of Copenhagen and received her degree in Prehistoric Archeology from Girton College of the University of Cambridge in 1961. She continued her studies at Aarhus University (1961-1962), The Sorbonne (1963) and the London School of Economics (1965).

photo: Royal Order of Sartorial Splendor

On June 10, 1967, Princess Margrethe married Henri de Laborde de Monpezat at Holmens Kirke in Copenhagen, followed by a banquet at Fredensborg Palace. After the wedding, Henri became a Prince of Denmark and was known by the Danish version of his name, Henrik. Following a honeymoon in Cozumel, Mexico, the couple took up residence at Amalienborg Palace, in Christian IX’s Palace (formerly Schack’s Palace).

• Unofficial Royalty: Wedding of Queen Margrethe and Henri de Laborde de Monpezat

Margrethe and Henrik had two sons:

• King Frederik X of Denmark (born 1968), married Mary Donaldson, had two sons and two daughters
• Prince Joachim of Denmark (born 1969), married (1) Alexandra Manley, had two sons, divorced  (2) Marie Cavallier, had one son and one daughter

Prime Minister Jens Otto Krag proclaims Margrethe Queen of Denmark; photo: Radical Royalist

On January 14, 1972, King Frederik IX died after a brief illness. Margrethe ascended the Danish throne as Queen Margrethe II. The following day, in keeping with tradition, Margrethe was formally proclaimed Queen, by Prime Minister Jens Otto Krag, from the balcony at Christiansborg Palace. To the crowds gathered below, she gave a brief speech, expressing the nation’s grief at the loss of their King and the warm feelings held by all for her mother, Queen Ingrid in this time of loss. She asked for God’s help in assuming the duties that had been her father’s for nearly 25 years, as well as the confidence and support of the Danish people. After being joined briefly on the balcony by her husband, the couple traveled back to Amalienborg Palace where they again appeared on the balcony, this time with their two young sons.

In addition to her duties as Sovereign, Queen Margrethe always found time to express her passion for the arts. An avid painter and designer, she had her work displayed in exhibitions around the world, and some are part of permanent collections in several museums in Denmark. In addition to her painting, The Queen designed many sets and costumes for theater productions and provided illustrations for several books. She published translations of several foreign works.

The Danish Royal House announced on August 3, 2017, that Prince Henrik would not be buried with his wife Queen Margrethe II of Denmark at Roskilde Cathedral in Roskilde, Denmark, the traditional burial place of Danish royalty. On September 6, 2017, it was announced that Prince Henrik was suffering from dementia.  Prince Henrik died peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday, February 13, 2018, at 11:18 pm, at Fredensborg Palace at the age of 83. His wife Queen Margrethe II and their two sons Crown Prince Frederik and Prince Joachim were at his side.

Queen Margrethe and her family in 2017; Photo Credit – The Danish Monarchy

On January 14, 2022, Queen Margrethe II marked fifty years on the Danish throne. She is the second longest-reigning Danish monarch after King Christian IV who reigned for 59 years, 330 days, from April 4, 1588 until February 28, 1648. As of January 14, 2022, the only current monarchs who reigned longer than Queen Margrethe II were Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom (reigned since February 6, 1952) and Hassanal Bolkiah, Sultan of Brunei (reigned since October 5, 1967).

• Unofficial Royalty: Queen Margrethe II of Denmark – Fifty Years on the Throne

Queen Margrethe stated several times that she had no intention of abdicating and that she viewed her position as a job for life. She recognized Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom as a source of inspiration for her devotion to duty. Since the death of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom in September 2022, Queen Margrethe had been the longest-reigning current European monarch.

Queen Margrethe II announces that she will abdicate during her New Year’s Speech

However, in her New Year’s Speech on December 31, 2023, Queen Margrethe announced that she will step down as Queen of Denmark on January 14, 2024 – the 52nd anniversary of her accession. In her New Year’s Speech, Queen Margrethe stated:

In two weeks time I have been Queen of Denmark for 52 years. Such an amount will leave its mark on anybody – also on me! The time takes its toll, and the number of “ailments” increases. One cannot undertake as much as one managed in the past.

In February this year I underwent extensive back surgery. Everything went well, thanks to the competent health personnel, who took care of me. Inevitably, the operation gave cause to thoughts about the future – whether now would be an appropriate time to pass on the responsibility to the next generation.

I have decided that now is the right time. On 14th January 2024 – 52 years after I succeeded my beloved father – I will step down as Queen of Denmark. I will hand over the throne to my son Crown Prince Frederik.

Upon Queen Margrethe II’s abdication of January 14, 2024, her elder son and his wife became King Frederik X of Denmark and Queen Mary of Denmark. Frederik and Mary’s elder son became Crown Prince Christian of Denmark, the heir to the Danish throne. After her abdication, Margrethe held the style and title Her Majesty Queen Margrethe.

• Unofficial Royalty: Abdication of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark and The Accession of King Frederik X of Denmark

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Kingdom of Denmark Resources at Unofficial Royalty

• Kingdom of Denmark Index
• Danish Orders and Honours
• Danish Royal Burial Sites: House of Oldenburg, 1448 – 1863
• Danish Royal Burial Sites: House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg, 1863 – present
• Danish Royal Christenings
• Danish Royal Dates
• Danish Royal FAQs
• Danish Royal Residences
• Danish Royal Weddings
• Line of Succession to the Danish Throne
• Profiles of the Danish Royal Family

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2014

Her Highness Princess Elisabeth Caroline-Mathilde Alexandrine Helena Olga Thyra Feodora Estrid Margrethe Désirée of Denmark was born May 8, 1935, at Sorgenfri Palace in Kongens Lyngby, Denmark. She was the only daughter and the eldest of the three children of Prince Knud of Denmark, the younger son of King Christian X of Denmark, and Princess Caroline-Mathilde of Denmark, the daughter of Prince Harald of Denmark who was the third son of King Frederik VIII of Denmark.

Princess Elisabeth had two younger brothers:

• Count Ingolf of Rosenborg, born Prince Ingolf of Denmark (born 1940), married (1) Inge Terney, no children; Ingolf married without consent and therefore lost his royal style and title and his succession rights  (2) Sussie Hjorhøy, no children
• Count Christian of Rosenborg, born Prince Christian of Denmark (1942 – 2013), married Anne Dorte Maltoft-Nielsen, had three daughters who are not in the line of succession; Christian married without consent and therefore lost his royal style and title and his succession rights

Elisabeth on the left and her family; Credit –danishroyalmediawatch.blogspot.com

At the time of her birth, her father was second in line to the Danish throne, behind his elder brother, the future King Frederik IX. However, Elisabeth was not in the line of succession as women were barred from the throne. This would all change when Elisabeth was 18. Her uncle had become King in 1947 and only had three daughters. It was expected that the throne would then pass to Elisabeth’s father Knud, and then his eldest son. However, King Frederik had the laws changed in 1953, allowing women to succeed to the throne. This moved Prince Knud down to 4th in line, but it also put Elisabeth on the list (following her elder brothers). Both of her brothers lost their succession rights, and royal status, upon marriage to commoners.

Following her secondary education, Princess Elisabeth attended Brillantmont International College in Switzerland and Suhr’s School of Home Economics. She also attended the Scandinavian Academy of International Fashion and Design for two years and took courses at the Tempo Type School in Copenhagen. Not receiving an appanage from the State, she took a job with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1956. Several times she was posted abroad – twice at the Danish Embassy in Washington DC and once at the Danish United Nations Mission in Geneva, Switzerland. She retired in 2001 after 45 years of employment.

Princess Elisabeth never married, perhaps to retain her position within the Danish Royal Family. Until her death, she was the last person in the line of succession to the Danish throne. Elisabeth had a long-term relationship with Claus Hermansen, a videographer, until his death in 1997. The couple lived at the Princess’ villa in Holte, north of Copenhagen. She served as Patron of several organizations in Denmark and was usually seen at most State events.  In 2015, she returned to her childhood home, Sorgenfri Palace, where she took up residence in a detached wing of the palace called Damebygningen.

Princess Elisabeth died on June 19, 2018, after a lengthy illness at the age of 83.  Her funeral service was held at the Lyngby Church in Lyngby-Taarbæk Municipality in the northern suburbs of Copenhagen, Denmark where she was laid to rest beside Claus Hermansen.

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2014

Count Ingolf of Rosenborg with his wife, Countess Sussie (ctr) and sister Princess Elisabeth of Denmark. Photo: BilledBladet.dk

To date, the title Count of Rosenborg has been granted to seven Danish princes, all of whom relinquished their position within the Royal Family upon marrying without official consent from the monarch.  The first three, Aage, Erik and Viggo, retained some of their royal status, however, the others lost all of their official connection to royalty, being delegated to the highest level of the Danish aristocracy.  

• 1914 – HRH Prince Aage of Denmark – eldest son of Prince Valdemar (son of King Christian IX) became His Highness Prince Aage, Count of Rosenborg
• 1924 – HRH Prince Erik of Denmark – third son of Prince Valdemar (son of King Christian IX) became His Highness Prince Erik, Count of Rosenborg
• 1924 – HRH Prince Viggo of Denmark – fourth son of Prince Valdemar (son of King Christian IX) became His Highness Prince Viggo, Count of Rosenborg
• 1948 – HH Prince Oluf of Denmark– younger son of Prince Harald (son of King Frederik VIII) became His Excellency Count Oluf of Rosenborg
• 1949 – HH Prince Flemming of Denmark – son of Prince Axel (son of Prince Valdemar – son of King Christian IX) became His Excellency Count Flemming of Rosenborg
• 1968 – HH Prince Ingolf of Denmark – elder son of Prince Knud (son of King Christian X) became His Excellency Count Ingolf of Rosenborg
• 1971 – HH Prince Christian of Denmark – younger son of Prince Knud (son of King Christian X) became His Excellency Count Christian of Rosenborg

The first three all gave up their status during the reign of King Christian X, their first cousin.  He allowed them to retain the title of Prince (without the “of Denmark” designation), with the lesser style of His Highness.  This was limited to them and their wives only and did not pass to their children.  However, the Rosenborg title was granted to them with the provision that it would pass down through male-line descendants.  Sons continue to carry the title, while daughters retain it until such time as they marry.  

However, by 1948 when Prince Oluf relinquished his status, there was a new King on the throne -Frederik IX.  Privately, the King was more accepting of ‘unequal’ marriages, however, he feared that giving his consent would encourage previous royals who had lost their titles to re-claim their royal status and succession rights.  So Princes Oluf, Flemming, Ingolf, and Christian all gave up their royal status completely and became simply His Excellency Count XX of Rosenborg.  No longer considered part of the Royal House or Royal Family, they were relegated to the top level of the Danish aristocracy.  

The last surviving (of the seven initially granted the title) is Count Ingolf of Rosenborg.  Count Ingolf and his wife Countess Sussie undertake no official duties but are usually seen at family functions and occasionally at State events.  Despite his non-royal status, Ingolf continues to receive an appanage from the State. His brother Christian did not receive this, nor did his sister Princess Elisabeth who remained in the line of succession.  

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2014, updated 2024

King Frederik IX with the future Queen Margrethe II and the future King Frederik X
photo source: www.statensnet.dk; photo credit: Polfoto

January 14, 1972 – Accession of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark

January 14 marks the anniversary of the death of King Frederik IX of Denmark, and the accession of his eldest daughter as Queen Margrethe II. King Frederik had come to the throne in 1947, upon the death of his father, King Christian X. He and his wife, the former Princess Ingrid of Sweden had three daughters, and at the time, only men were permitted to succeed to the Danish throne. Frederik’s brother, Prince Knud was the heir presumptive. However, shortly after coming to the throne in 1947, King Frederik IX began the process of having the constitution changed to allow the succession to pass to his daughters. It would take six years, but in 1953, the Danish Constitution was changed. A new Act of Succession allowed for the throne to pass to his daughters, should there not be any sons. The young Princess Margrethe became the heiress presumptive, with her younger sisters next in line.

The King’s brother, Prince Knud, was given the title Hereditary Prince Knud which he held for the remainder of his life. Prince Knud had three children, Elisabeth, Ingolf, and Christian. Princess Elisabeth remains in the line of succession (being eligible because of the new Act of Succession in 1953), holding the last position in the list. Both Ingolf and Christian relinquished their succession rights, as well as their royal titles and status, upon marriage. Both were created Counts of Rosenborg by their uncle.

On the evening of January 14, 1972, after a brief illness and a heart attack, King Frederick IX died, surrounded by his family. His remains were taken to Amalienborg Palace for several days, before being moved to the chapel at Christiansborg Palace where he would lay in state for several days leading up to his funeral, held on January 24th.

Proclamation of the Queen by the Prince Minister; Credit: Order of Sartorial Splendor

Meanwhile, the young Princess Margrethe had become Queen. On the morning of January 15th, following tradition, the new Queen was proclaimed by the Prime Minister from the balcony at Christiansborg Palace. To the crowds gathered below, she gave a brief speech, expressing the nation’s grief at the loss of their King and the warm feelings held by all for her mother, Queen Ingrid in this time of loss. She asked for God’s help in assuming the duties that had been her father’s for nearly 25 years, as well as the confidence and support of the Danish people.

Queen Margrethe II and Prince Henrik with their sons

The new Queen was then joined on the balcony by her husband, Prince Henrik before the couple returned by carriage to Amalienborg Palace. There, they again appeared on the balcony, along with their two young sons, the new Crown Prince Frederik and Prince Joachim.

Since the death of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom in 2022, Queen Margrethe II had been the longest-serving monarch in Europe and the second longest-serving monarch in the world following  Hassanal Bolkiah, Sultan of Brunei.

Although Queen Margrethe stated several times that she had no intention of abdicating and that she viewed her position as a job for life and recognized Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom as a source of inspiration for her devotion to duty, in her New Year’s Speech on December 31, 2023, Queen Margrethe announced that she will step down as Queen of Denmark on January 14, 2024 – the 52nd anniversary of her accession. Her elder son, Crown Prince Frederik, and his wife, Crown Princess Mary, will become the new King and Queen of Denmark.

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