Queen Margrethe’s Ruby Jubilee Festivities

Following their visit to Roskilde Cathedral yesterday, the Danish Royal Family continued with the celebrations marking Queen Margrethe II’s fortieth anniversary as monarch in Copenhagen.

The Danes were joined by their Greek and Berleburg relatives, as well as the Kings and Queens of Norway and Sweden and the President of Iceland, at the Copenhagen Town Hall for a reception in the early afternoon. Queen Margrethe travelled from Amalienborg Palace through the streets of Copenhagen in a horse-drawn carriage, together with her husband, Prince Henrik. Thousands lined the streets in the cold weather to cheer on the Queen, who was dressed in a white outfit and hat, envoking many ‘Snow Queen’ likenesses.

Inside the Town Hall, Queen Margrethe was presented with a jubilee gift from the Mayor of Copenhagen, Frank Jensen. She and Prince Henrik then made an appearance on the Town Hall balcony, and were greeted by the crowds below singing to them.

In the evening, the royals gathered once more, this time in evening dress (and tiaras for the ladies – and mini-tuxedoes for Princes Nikolai and Felix), at the Danmarks Radio Concert House. 1,500 guests attended the concert, which lasted an hour and a half, featuring performances by the Bournonville Ballet, opera singer Susanne Resmark, the DR Symphony Orchestra and the satire group Rytteriet. Among the guests were Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg and her husband, Martin Jørgensen.

All the royal ladies reached into their jewellery vaults for the concert, with everyone wearing a tiara except for Princess Nathalie of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg (she went with diamond star hair ornaments instead). One of the biggest surprises, tiara-wise, was that Princess Theodora of Greece borrowed Aunt Daisy’s turquoise bandeau tiara.

A dinner was held at the end of the concert.

Click here to read more about the festivities, which continue later today (Danish time) with the Queen’s 500th State Council meeting, a balcony appearance, a church service and a gala dinner.

Filed under Denmark
Tagged Accession, Concert, Margrethe II of Denmark, Margrethe II's Ruby Jubilee, Tiaras.

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