Margrethe II, Queen of Denmark

**Margrethe II, Queen of Denmark** (born *Princess Margrethe of Denmark* on 16 April 1940) is the current reigning Queen of Denmark. She is the eldest daughter of **King Frederik IX of Denmark** and **Princess Ingrid of Sweden**. She is also a member of the extended Swedish Royal Family as the granddaughter of **King Gustaf VI Adolf of Sweden**.

### Titles

Queen of Denmark
Dowager Countess of Monpezat

## Biographical Information

### Spouse

Michael, Count of Monpezat
(m. 1974; wid. 1987)

## Life

At the time of her birth, only males could inherit the throne of Denmark. As Margrethe had no brothers, it was assumed that her uncle, **Knud, Hereditary Prince of Denmark**, would succeed her father. The process of changing the constitution started in 1947, not long after Margrethe's father ascended the throne and it became clear that Queen Ingrid would have no more children. The popularity of Frederik and his daughters and the more prominent role of women in Danish life started the complicated process of altering the constitution.

On 27 March 1953, the new Act of Succession was passed and Margrethe became heiress presumptive.

## Marriage and Issue

After ascending the throne at the age of 32 and still unmarried, many began to speculate about the new queen's marriage prospects and the future of the monarchy. During an official visit to Paris in 1966, the then-Princess Margrethe had met French nobleman **Michael, Count of Monpezat**. Her father, however, was against the match and forbade them from marrying. Instead, the couple discreetly dated for seven years, until the king passed and Margrethe took the throne.

On 5 October 1973, the Danish court announced Margrethe and Michael's engagement. The couple were married in Copenhagen on 10 June 1974. It was the first marriage of a reigning Danish monarch since **King Christian VII** married **Princess Caroline Matilda of Great Britain** in 1796. After nine years of marriage, Margrethe gave birth to their only child, **Frederika**, in 1985 at the age of forty-five.

On 13 February 1987, Margrethe and Michael were involved in a car accident outside of Copenhagen. Margrethe survived with minor injuries, however Michael was thrown from the vehicle and killed instantly.

## Residences

Christiansborg Palace
Official ResidenceFredensborg Palace
Main Residence (March-May; September-November)Amalienborg Christian IX's Palace
Winter Residence (December-February)Marselisborg Palace
Summer Residence (June-August)Chateau de Cayx
Summer Residence (June-August)
## Sartorial Information

### Tiara Collection

As queen, Margrethe has access to the entirety of the Danish Tiara Collection. Below are the tiaras that she personally owns.

Turquoise Daisy Bandeau (1956)
16th birthday present from her parentsAlexandrine's Sapphire Tiara (1974)
A wedding present from her motherIveagh Tiara (1974)
A wedding present from her mother-in-law, the Dowager Countess of Monpezat,

## Titles and Honours

* **1940-1953** Princess Margrethe of Denmark
* **1963-1972** Margrethe, Crown Princess of Denmark
* **1972-present** Queen Margrethe of Denmark

### National Honours

 Order of the Elephant (1958)

 Order of the Dannebrog (1972)

## Ancestry

Princess Alexandrine of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
Princess Louise of Sweden
Grand Duke Frederick Francis III of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
Grand Duchess Anastasia Mikhailovna of Russia
Princess Louise of Hesse-Kassel
King Charles XI of Sweden
Princess Louise of the Netherlands
Grand Duke Frederick Francis II of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
Princess Augusta of Reuss
Grand Duke Michael Nikolaevich of Russia
 Princess Ingrid of Sweden
Princess Margaret of Connaught
Princess Victoria of Baden
Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn
Princess Louise Margaret of Prussia
Princess Sophia of Nassau
Grand Duke Frederick I of Baden
Princess Louise of Prussia
Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha
Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom
Prince Friedrich Karl of Prussia
Princess Maria Anna of Anhalt-Dessau

## Lines of Succession

House of Glucksburg
preceded by
**Frederik IX**