The princess in the middle

Her big sister and little sister became queens but she remained a princess.  But for one day only, Benedikte of Denmark took the central role as the family posed for photos to mark her 70th birthday.  Flanked by the queen regnant of Denmark and the former queen consort of Greece, the princess stars in a portrait of three royal sisters with very different destinies.

All eyes are on Benedikte in a photo taken to mark her 70th birthday

Benedikte Astrid Ingeborg Ingrid was born at the Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen on April 29th 1944, the second daughter of the then Crown Prince, Frederik, and his wife, Ingrid of Sweden.  At the time of her birth, Denmark was occupied by the Nazis.  Her mother put the flag of Denmark in the nursery window of the Amalienborg Palace and her parents' support for the resistance movement made them hugely popular.

Benedikte's parents, Frederik and Ingrid, in 1935

At the time of her birth, Benedikte had no dynastic rights - but neither did her older sister, Margrethe, as women were not allowed to succeed to the throne.  The popularity of their parents was in part responsible for the decision to change the law and allow female succession.  The fact that Frederik IX and Queen Ingrid had no sons was also an important factor.  From 1947 onwards, Benedikte was second in line to the throne behind her sister but the arrival of Margrethe's children, Frederik and Joachim, moved her down the line.  

Margrethe and Benedikte of Denmark as children

Benedikte saw her younger sister, Anne Marie, become a queen consort in 1964 when she married the new King of Greece, Constantine, just weeks after her 18th birthday.  In 1968, Benedikte married the Hereditary Prince of Sayn-Wittengenstein-Berleberg, Richard, and he became the head of his royal house the following year.  Four years later, Benedikte saw her older sister become a queen regnant when Margrethe ascended the throne of Denmark on the death of Frederik IX.

Benedikte (far left) with Anne-Marie (centre) and Margrethe (on the right) and their parents, Frederik and Ingrid, on the day of Anne Marie's confirmation

While Benedikte remains in line for the Danish throne her children have no succession rights there as they were raised outside of Denmark.  The princess represents her sister, Margrethe, at official engagements and has a particular interest in promoting the cause of Scouts and Girl Guides.  Of the four royal women of the family of Frederik IX, she was the only one not to become a queen.  However, her royal life has been a huge success and at the age of seventy her birthday celebrations have shown just how popular this princess remains in Denmark.

Princess Benedikte with Queen Ingrid, Queen Margrethe and Queen Anne-Marie in 1985