Queen Margrethe II of Denmark is showing no signs of slowing down. The reigning monarch, who turns 75 on Thursday, told reporters ahead of her birthday that she has no plans to retire.
According to HELLO! Online's sister publication HOLA!, Margrethe insisted that she has no intention of abdicating after 43 years on the throne.
"I have no problems with my age," said the Danish royal. "I may not be able to cross-country ski or dance ballet, but apart from that I'm physically fine."
© Photo: Getty ImagesQueen Margrethe II of Denmark said she has "absolutely" no plans to abdicate
Margrethe, who became queen the day after her father King Frederick IX died in 1972, replied "absolutely not" when asked whether she would step down. The monarch added that she wanted to be remembered as a queen who did "all she could to benefit her country and people".
Margrethe, who has two sons with her husband Prince Henrik and eight grandchildren, joked that while she does have some free time off-duty, her grandkids probably don't receive "the same amount of attention" as other youngsters.
© Photo: Getty ImagesQueen Margrethe, 74, said her one birthday wish was to be surrounded by her family
Along with Queen Elizabeth, Margrethe is the only other queen regnant currently on the throne. Upon her ascension, she became the first female monarch to rule Denmark since Margrethe I, ruler of the Scandinavian countries from 1375 to 1412.
The Danish population and members of the royal family have already been celebrating the queen's birthday ahead of her milestone event on Thursday. A street parade with horse-drawn carriages took place in the city of Aarhus last week, where Margrethe greeted 5,000 locals.
She will also take centre stage at a gala dinner this Wednesday, to which other European royals including the Spanish family have been invited.
© Photo: Getty ImagesPrince Henrik with his wife Queen Margrethe, who has been on the throne for 43 years
In spite of the pomp and grandeur of the festivities, Margrethe revealed that she only has one birthday wish – "to be surrounded by my family," she said.
"I think Denmark is doing well," she added. "We are on good terms with other countries and are at peace in our own country. I love this country. We all do the best we can and I hope the Danish people feel the same way."
