Queen Margrethe of Denmark, who stepped down from the throne in January 2024 after a 52-year reign, was admitted to Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen on Thursday afternoon with chest pain. The Royal House of Denmark confirmed the former sovereign is suffering from angina and will remain in hospital for observation and further examinations through the weekend.
“Her Majesty is tired, but in good spirits,” the court said in a brief statement.
A Monarch Who Modernized the Danish Crown
Margrethe II, who succeeded her father King Frederik IX in 1972, was widely admired across Denmark for subtly modernizing the monarchy while preserving its traditions. Her decision to abdicate—announced in her New Year’s speech in December 2023—surprised many, as she had long insisted she would serve until her death. Major back surgery earlier that year prompted a change of heart, leading to the transfer of the crown to her eldest son, now King Frederik X.
The abdication marked the first voluntary handover of the Danish throne in nearly 900 years, a move that resonated across Europe as other monarchies grapple with succession and public expectations. The transition was smooth, with Frederik quickly establishing his own style of kingship.
Margrethe’s health has been a concern in recent years. She underwent extensive back surgery in February 2023, which kept her away from public duties for several months. The 86-year-old also contracted COVID-19 in 2022, though she recovered without complications.
A Life in the Arts
Beyond her royal duties, Margrethe is known for her artistic talents. She is an accomplished painter, set designer, and translator. In 2024, she won a Danish film award for best costume design for the Netflix historical drama Ehrengard: The Art of Seduction. Under the pseudonym Ingahild Grathmer, she illustrated Danish editions of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. Together with her late husband, Prince Consort Henrik, she translated Simone de Beauvoir’s All Men Are Mortal into Danish.
Her cultural contributions have made her a beloved figure not only in Denmark but across Scandinavia. The news of her hospitalization prompted messages of support from across the continent, including from the Swedish and Norwegian royal houses.
Denmark’s health system, consistently ranked among the best in Europe, is well-equipped to handle her care. Rigshospitalet is the country’s largest and most specialized hospital, located in the capital.
The royal court has not provided further details on her condition but said updates would be issued as necessary. The incident comes as Denmark continues to recover from a head-on train collision that injured 17 people earlier this month, a reminder of the challenges facing the country’s infrastructure.
For now, the focus remains on Margrethe’s recovery. Her son, King Frederik, and his family are expected to visit her in the coming days.
