84-year-old Queen Margrethe II, who became the longest-serving living monarch in Europe in 2022 upon the death of her third cousin, Queen Elizabeth II, is a style icon when it comes to embracing the eccentric and giving space to gestures of grandeur
“I have decided that now is the right time. On 14th January, 2024 – 52 years after I succeeded my beloved father – I will step down as queen of Denmark,” Queen Margrethe II of Denmark said on live television on New Year's Eve. “Thank you to the many, many people who on special occasions and in everyday life have embraced me and my family with kind words and thoughts, turning the years into a string of pearls.”
In 1972 at the age of 31, Queen Margrethe II ascended the throne after the death of her father Frederik IX. And every year, she has delivered a message on 31st December to wish her country well for the coming year – but the latest speech came with a surprise to the public: that it would be her last.
Queen Margrethe II was the the first female monarch of Denmark since Margrethe I, ruler of the Scandinavian kingdoms in 1375–1412. A somewhat unconventional – she is a self taught artist and has taken on the role of set designer for Netflix’s recent project Ehrengard by Bille August – she became a style icon through her love of colour, accessories and devil-may-care attitude. Queen Margrethe II’s wardrobe is a lesson in dressing without fear, embracing the eccentric and giving space to gestures of grandeur.
Here, we take a walk down memory lane of some of her best sartorial hits through the years.
Posing on her 18th birthday on April 16, 1959. Photo: Getty
With her mother Queen Ingrid of Denmark at the family's summer residence in 1954. Margrethe is 13. . Photo: Getty
Margrethe (right), heir-apparent to the Danish throne, arrives for her first day at Copenhagen University in 1959 where she studed law and the humanities. Photo: Getty
Her and Prince Henrik in 1968. Photo: Getty
The marriage Of Princess Margrethe Of Denmark And Prince Henrik 1967. Photo: Getty
Margrethe and her husband Prince Henrik of Denmark visiting Rome in 1969. Photo: Getty
The first official photograph of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark in 1972. Photo: Getty
In the garden of Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen with her fist son Frederik Andre Henrik Christian. Photo: Getty
On a visit to China in 1979. Photo: Getty
On her 40th birthday with husband Prince Henrik and their children Princes Joachim and Frederik . Photo: Getty
Official 40th birthday photo taken on June 16, 1980. Photo: Getty
A portrait taken in April, 1982 . Photo: Getty
At a gala dinner at Amalianberg Castle in 1973. Photo: Getty
An official image to celebrating her mother Ingrid of Denmark's 70th birthday in 1980. Photo: Getty
Queen Margrethe II and Prince Henrik of Denmark, during a State visit of Emperor Akihito, and Empress Michiko of Japan to Denmark in 1998. Photo: Getty
At a dinner hosted by King Hussien of Jordan, and Queen Noor of Jordan in 1998. Photo: Getty
At her silver wedding anniversary in 2017. Photo: Getty
At the wedding of Danish Crown Prince Frederik and Princess Mary in 2004 . Photo: Getty
Attending the wedding of Prince Joachim and Princess Alexandra Of Denmark at Frederiksborg Castle in 1995. Photo: Getty
Attending the royal wedding of Prince Carl Philip of Sweden and Sofia Hellqvist in 2015. Photo: Getty
At a New Year's banquet she hosted at Christian VII's Palace on January 1, 2013. Photo: Getty
Queen Margrethe attends the Ringsted horse ceremony at Grasten Slot during the summer vacation on 16 July 2017 in Grasten, Denmark. Photo: Getty
Attending a party in July 2007. Photo: Getty
Boarding the royal ship Danneborg to sail from Copenhagen to Hillingoer in 2006. Photo: Getty