Margrethe II, Queen of Denmark
Ascended the throne January 14th 1972
Margrethe II became Queen of Denmark 45 years ago today. Some have that down as a sapphire anniversary, others as a mid point between ruby and gold. Either way, it's a big moment in an unexpected reign that has become one of the most successful in Europe.
Margrethe became her country's queen on January 14th 1972 on the death of her father, Frederik IX. She took as her motto ''God's help, the love of the people, Denmark's strength'' and while her deep grief at the loss of her beloved father was obvious, as she wept on the balcony during her proclamation as queen. her determination to make a good job of the role she had inherited was clear from the beginning.
Margrethe Alexandrine Þórhildur Ingrid was born on April 16th 1940 at the Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen, first child of the then Crown Prince Frederik and his wife, Ingrid. She was an unexpected heir - for the first thirteen years of her life, women didn't have the right to succeed to the Danish throne and when the law was changed in 1953, Margrethe as the eldest of three girls became first in line to succeed.
By the time she became Queen of Denmark, she had been married for almost six years to Henri de Laborde de Monpezat and the couple had two young sons, Frederik and Joachim, who grew up as heir and spare.
Margrethe II has often spoken of the admiration she has for Elizabeth II, saying in interviews that she has taken her as an inspiration. As she marks a jubilee few other queens or kings have seen, Margrethe does so in the knowledge that she too has won admiration and offered inspiration to others. The reign of the Queen of Denmark has been a success and is rightly celebrated on this special anniversary.
Photo credit: By Johannes Jansson/norden.org, CC BY 2.5 dk, Link
No comments:
Post a Comment