[mahr grAt' ah] Queen of Denmark

Margrethe Alexandrine Torhildur Ingrid was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, on April 16, 1940, the first child of Crown Prince Frederik and Princess Ingrid. Her father became King Frederik IX on April 20, 1947, and Margrethe became heir to the throne upon enactment of a new Constitution in 1953 that allowed women to succeed to the throne. She officially assumbed the duties of Crown Princess, including membership in the State Council, on her 18th birthday. In preparation for her reign, she attended universities in Denmark, England, and France, and presided over the Danish Cabinet at formal functions when her father was ill.

Princess Margrethe just prior to her 18th birthday

Princess Margrethe and her father King Frederik make an official tour of Copenhagen on her 18th birthday

In 1967, Crown Princess Margrethe married Henri de Laborde de Monpezat, a French count, who became Prince Henrik of Denmark. The couple have two sons, Crown Prince Frederik and Prince Joachim.

Crown Princess Margrethe became Queen Margrethe upon the death of her father on January 14, 1972.

SEE ALSO
King Frederik IX

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This page was last updated on March 27, 2018.