Danish (State) Visits: General Discussion, Suggestions and Musings

[An Ard Ri]

Much as I would love to see a Danish - UK state visit, I cannot see it happen in the next few years. Denmark is really not an economic or diplomatic priority at this stage.

The first State visit to the UK by Queen Margrethe II took place in May 1974 ,that was 2 years after the queen's accession.
I guess we will have to wait and see!
Danish State Visit to Britain, 1974

 

[Hans-Rickard]

Much as I would love to see a Danish - UK state visit, I cannot see it happen in the next few years. Denmark is really not an economic or diplomatic priority at this stage.

And even when it happens, it will most likely not include a return gala like that one…

QEII and QMII was of a royal generation that prefered to wear tiaras and lots of diamond jewellery also to some black tie events - but their sons and daughters in law don’t do that since inheriting their respective thrones

 

[muriel]

QEII and QMII was of a royal generation that prefered to wear tiaras and lots of diamond jewellery also to some black tie events - but their sons and daughters in law don’t do that since inheriting their respective thrones

I don't know if QE2 preferred to wear tiaras to black tie events as a personal preference, but I think that was what was expected of them. Times chance, social norms evolve, and so must our royal familes.

 

[An Ard Ri]

And even when it happens, it will most likely not include a return gala like that one…

QEII and QMII was of a royal generation that prefered to wear tiaras and lots of diamond jewellery also to some black tie events - but their sons and daughters in law don’t do that since inheriting their respective thrones

Thankfully we can look back at these splendid royal events hosted by QMII and QEII.

 

[Stefan]

And even when it happens, it will most likely not include a return gala like that one…

QEII and QMII was of a royal generation that prefered to wear tiaras and lots of diamond jewellery also to some black tie events - but their sons and daughters in law don’t do that since inheriting their respective thrones

But then even QEII slimmed down the incoming State Visits to the UK as i think the one was one of the last with a proper Return Event which isn't taking place nowadays.

 

[Hans-Rickard]

But then even QEII slimmed down the incoming State Visits to the UK as i think the one was one of the last with a proper Return Event which isn't taking place nowadays.

Yes that’s true… Even the Lord Mayor’s Banquet (wich is often mistaken for being a return event) is also not happening every time nowdays…

The King of Sweden is to my knowledge one of the last heads of state who is usually hosting a return event with the same dresscode as the stately dinner by the host… But i expect that to change too…

It’s the passage of time (and a part of it that i don’t like)

 

[An Ard Ri]

But then even QEII slimmed down the incoming State Visits to the UK as i think the one was one of the last with a proper Return Event which isn't taking place nowadays.

And most State visits are jammed into 2 days events now!

 

[Stefan]

And most State visits are jammed into 2 days events now!

Which is a big Pity and something i don't really understand. Nowadays a King abroad on a State Visit can be back in a really short time and usually reached all the time when needed, which wasn't the case in the 50's, 60's 70's etc. when State Visits were often 3 days or even longer

 

[An Ard Ri]

Thankfully the Danish Monarchy still retains a lot of pomp and ceremony and have retained the use of horses and carriages.

 

[Stefan]

Thankfully the Danish Monarchy still retains a lot of pomp and ceremony and have retained the use of horses and carriages.

Hopefully they will also retain the big Galas and celebrations for birthdays etc.
Horses and carriages are still in use too in Sweden, UK and the Netherlands.

 

[An Ard Ri]

Hopefully they will also retain the big Galas and celebrations for birthdays etc.
Horses and carriages are still in use too in Sweden, UK and the Netherlands.

Yes indeed as QMII carried on that tradition and they were always splendid events!

 

[Hans-Rickard]

Indeed… Several monarchies are good at pomp and pagentry during the day, but only the 3 scandinavian monarchies have kept the evening events during round birthdays and jubilees as full gala as well… Especially Denmark when under the command of the party-loving Daisy…

The sight of royals from many countries in full gala at Christiansborg, The Royal Theatre or at the Copenhagen Opera House have always been something special…

I certainly hope that won’t change with the change of monarchs…

 

[An Ard Ri]

Indeed… Several monarchies are good at pomp and pagentry during the day, but only the 3 scandinavian monarchies have kept the evening events during round birthdays and jubilees as full gala as well… Especially Denmark when under the command of the party-loving Daisy…

I certainly hope that won’t change with the change of monarchs…

QMII really excelled at the pomp and majesty!
There's nothing worse than seeing royals arriving in people carriers for State Visit and having a museum full of carriages!

 

[Hans-Rickard]

QMII really excelled at the pomp and majesty!
There's nothing worse than seeing royals arriving in people carriers for State Visit and having a museum full of carriages!

Or the use of chartered tourist buses instead of even using the fleet of veteran cars

Denmark has so many beautiful veteran cars and old carriages and has thankfully not been afraid of using them to the occasions they were meant for

 

[Blog Real]

King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden made a state visit to Denmark in 1975.

Swedish State Visit to Denmark, 1975

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark hosted a magnificent State Banquet for her cousin, King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, at Christiansborg Palace #OnThisDay 50 years ago, on his first State Visit to Denmark

royalwatcherblog.com

 

[An Ard Ri]

In January 1970, Frederick and Queen Ingrid were on a State Visit to Tanzania and here's footage of them visiting a Museum village on January 12th.

 

[Hans-Rickard]

King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden made a state visit to Denmark in 1975.

Swedish State Visit to Denmark, 1975

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark hosted a magnificent State Banquet for her cousin, King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, at Christiansborg Palace #OnThisDay 50 years ago, on his first State Visit to Denmark

royalwatcherblog.com

It was the then 28 year old and still unmarried King of Sweden’s 3:rd outgoing state visit (after having visited Norway and Finland the year before)

Queen Margrethe II didn’t do the return state visit until 10 years later in 1985… Likely because she had already made a state visit to Sweden in January 1973 when her maternal grandfather King Gustaf VI Adolf was still alive…

 

[An Ard Ri]

It was the then 28 year old and still unmarried King of Sweden’s 3:rd outgoing state visit (after having visited Norway and Finland the year before)

Queen Margrethe II didn’t do the return state visit until 10 years later in 1985… Likely because she had already made a state visit to Sweden in January 1973 when her maternal grandfather King Gustaf VI Adolf was still alive…

The State visit between the Nordic cousins are always such a joy to watch and the have such strong family bonds.

 

[Izzie]

If King Frederik and Queen Mary keep the same schedule as last year, there will be at least 2 incoming State Visits in the Fall. It will be interesting to see which countries will make those incoming State Visits. Unless, the gov't decides that it is more beneficial for there to be additional outgoing State Visits.

Interested to hear everyone's thoughts!

 

[An Ard Ri]

The Danish State visit to Japan
In April 1981 ,Queen Margrethe II and Prince Henrik of Denmark travelled to Japan and were hosted by Emperor Hirohito and Empress Nagako at the Imperial Palace.
Danish State Visit to Japan, 1981

 

[Kingen]

The website of the Danish Royal Palaces show that Christiansborg Palace will be closed for the period 17 September-3 October. The Royal Apartments are usually open most days for visitors, so this might indicate a major Royal event, like a state visit.

Billetter | Den Kongelige Samling

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denkongeligesamling.dk

 

[Stefan]

The website of the Danish Royal Palaces show that Christiansborg Palace will be closed for the period 17 September-3 October. The Royal Apartments are usually open most days for visitors, so this might indicate a major Royal event, like a state visit.

Billetter | Den Kongelige Samling

Velkommen til Den Kongelige Samling – en samling af levende og historiske slotte. Igennem imponerende bygninger, fascinerende skatte og personlige fortællinger udfolder vi Kongehusets historie. Træd ind i riddersale med prægtig kunst, gå på opdagelse i kronjuvelerne og mærk historiens vingesus...

denkongeligesamling.dk

But that would be a looong State Visit with over 14 days closure.

 

[Kingen]

But that would be a looong State Visit with over 14 days closure.

It could of course also be a deep cleaning of the Palace.

For state visits in Stockholm, the Royal Palace is usually closed for 10-14 days as well.

Changing from showing it to the public, probably clean all the rooms and set the table, and then revert everything to open for the public again, that probably taket some time.

 

[Muhler]

I have no idea what's going to happen during the last weeks of September but the first Tuesday in October is always the opening of the Parliament and that's an important event the DRF always attends in force.

 

[Izzie]

If they keep the same schedule they had in 2024, there should be 2 incoming state visits in the second half of 2025. They've already done 2 outgoing state visits to Finland and France and Frederik did an ascension visit to Japan earlier in the year as well. They done an ascension to Germany also.

Question is which countries would an invitation be extended to. A country from South America? An African nation? Mexico has a new President, But I believe that last incoming State Visit from Mexico was around 2016 or 2017. Maybe Asia? It will be interesting to see.

Now, they could always break from last year's schedule and do another outgoing visit.

Last year they announced in the incoming October visit from Iceland around mid to late September. The December State Visit from Egypt was announced much close to the start of the visit, most likely due to security issues.

 

[Izzie]

Announced today by the royal house - King Frederik and Queen Mary will make a State Visit to Latvia on October 28-29.

Statsbesøg til Letland

Den 28. – 29. oktober tager Deres Majestæter Kongen og Dronningen på statsbesøg til Letland. Kongen og Dronningen aflægger i den kommende tid statsbesøg til de tre baltiske lande: Letland...

www.kongehuset.dk

Per the press release, there will also be State Visits to Estonia and Lithuania, the dates for which will be announced separately.

Looking forward to another state visit!

 

[muriel]

Announced today by the royal house - King Frederik and Queen Mary will make a State Visit to Latvia on October 28-29.

Statsbesøg til Letland

Den 28. – 29. oktober tager Deres Majestæter Kongen og Dronningen på statsbesøg til Letland. Kongen og Dronningen aflægger i den kommende tid statsbesøg til de tre baltiske lande: Letland...

www.kongehuset.dk

Per the press release, there will also be State Visits to Estonia and Lithuania, the dates for which will be announced separately.

Looking forward to another state visit!

Look forward!

 

[Muhler]

No surprise.
These countries would be high on the list and perhaps even pushed forward as a result of the tensions with Russia.
It is absolutely no coincidence that the presence of a Danish battalion is mentioned. They will no doubt be visited as well.

 

[Hans-Rickard]

No surprise there… The whole baltic belt of Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Germany are closely connected, and the ongoing threat of russian presence in the baltic sea, makes these countries even more important for each other…

 

[Saragli]

On a frivolous note, going off of previous recent royal state visits, Estonia is White Tie and Latvia and Lithuania are Black Tie for each respective state banquets. Will be curious if Mary will follow in many Nordic/Benelux examples and wear tiaras to a black tie banquet.