After 34 years as her country's head of state, Denmark's Queen Margrethe continues to enjoy enormous popularity among her subjects. And there was no doubting the esteem in which she was held when 12,000 people turned out to wish her a happy birthday on Sunday.
A huge roar of approval greeted the sovereign when she stepped onto the balcony of her summer residence to mark her 66th birthday. The monarch, who was accompanied by her husband Prince Henrik and son Frederik, along with the crown prince's family, was clearly moved by the show of affection when she emerged into the bright sunshine.
Brightly dressed in a orange and blue tartan coat, the much-loved queen waved enthusiastically to well-wishers. Indeed there was only one person who had the power to distract her from the happy moment – her six-month-old grandson Prince Christian. The infant's doting mum, Crown Princess Mary, looked on proudly as her mother-in-law cradled the infant in her arms.
Prince Henrik was likewise enjoying being with his nearest and dearest. Sharing in the birthday festivities made for a rather more relaxing experience that his last public outing when he took a ride on a rollercoaster in the town of Tivoli Friheden. Things took a hair-raising turn when technical problems developed and service staff had to restart the power in order to bring their royal guest safely back down to earth.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
