Denmark's former monarch, Queen Margrethe, has been released from hospital following a heart procedure last week, the Danish royal palace announced on Tuesday. The 86-year-old, who abdicated in January 2024 after 52 years on the throne, underwent a balloon dilation of a coronary artery at Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen on 15 May.
"Her Majesty Queen Margrethe was discharged from Rigshospitalet today and is returning to Fredensborg Palace," the palace said in a statement. "In the coming period, Her Majesty will need rest." A planned theatre engagement on 23 May has been cancelled to allow for recovery.
A Monarch Who Modernised the Danish Crown
Margrethe remains a deeply popular figure in Denmark, credited with subtly modernising the monarchy during her long reign. She had long insisted she would never step down, but major back surgery in 2023 prompted a change of heart. In her New Year's speech that year, she announced her abdication in favour of her eldest son, now King Frederik X.
The former queen's health has been a concern in recent years. She has faced multiple medical issues, though the palace has typically disclosed only limited details. The latest procedure, described as a balloon dilation of a coronary artery, is a standard treatment for blocked vessels.
Margrethe is also known for her artistic pursuits. She won a Danish film award for best costume design in 2024 and, under a pseudonym, translated Simone de Beauvoir's All Men Are Mortal with her late husband, Prince Consort Henrik. Her interest in the arts has long set her apart from many European royals.
The news of her discharge comes amid a broader interest in European royal health and public engagements. In a related development, Denmark's Former Queen Margrethe Undergoes Angioplasty After Chest Pain was reported earlier this week, and her hospitalisation with chest pain drew widespread attention.
Margrethe's recovery is expected to take several weeks. The palace has not indicated when she might resume public duties, but her role as a former monarch is largely ceremonial. Her son, King Frederik, and his wife, Queen Mary, have taken on the bulk of official engagements since the abdication.
The queen's health scare has also sparked broader conversations about the pressures of royal life. In the UK, King Charles and Idris Elba Share Turntables at Buckingham Palace Garden Party highlighted a lighter side of monarchy, while in the Netherlands, Modi's European Tour Opens with Dutch Royal Meeting underscored the diplomatic role of European royals.
For now, Margrethe's focus is on rest. The palace has asked for privacy during her recovery, and well-wishers have been sending messages of support. Her legacy as a moderniser and patron of the arts remains secure, even as she steps back from the public eye.
