Queen Margrethe II discharged from hospital as palace announces next moves for King Frederik and Queen Mary wedding anniversary King’s birthday

Queen Margrethe II is recovering at home after being discharged from hospital, the Danish Royal Household has said.

The 85-year-old former monarch has suffered a bout of ill health in recent years, culminating with her abdication from the throne in 2024 after 52 years as Queen of Denmark.

In announcing her decision to step down from the throne, Margrethe cited “extensive back surgery” in February 2023 as giving her “thoughts about the future”.

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“The time takes its toll, and the number of ‘ailments’ increases,” she said in her New Year’s address when announcing the decision to abdicate.

“One cannot undertake as much as one managed in the past,” she added.

Her son, Frederik X, was proclaimed King of Denmark in January 2024 alongside his Australian-born wife Mary, who is now Queen.

Late last week, Queen Margrethe was admitted to the Rigshospitalet, Denmark’s largest hospital, in Copenhagen.

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The palace said the 85-year-old had contracted a cold and the hospital admission was done “for observation as a precaution”.

She had been expected to join celebrations for the 125th anniversary of the Sankt Lukas Foundation but had to cancel at the last minute.

Queen Margrethe was discharged on May 10 after two days.

“Her Majesty is well and is now back in her residence at Fredensborg Palace,” the household said.

King Frederik and Queen Mary are also in residence at Fredensborg Palace, north of Copenhagen, having relocated there last week.

The palace is the royal family’s official residence during the summer.

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Tomorrow, King Frederik and Queen Mary will celebrate their 21st wedding anniversary.

Both have separate official engagements scheduled in their diaries and the palace has not said how they will mark the occasion in private.

But the royal household has revealed how the King will celebrate his birthday later this month.

On May 26, King Frederik will turn 57. He and Queen Mary, and members of the royal family, will appear on the balcony of Frederik VIII’s Palace at Amalienborg in Copenhagen.

The palace has not said if the royal couple will be joined by their four children Crown Prince Christian, Princess Isabella and twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine.

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Crown Prince Christian is currently serving his military service outside of the capital.

Last year, the King was accompanied by Queen Mary, and their four children, along with Queen Margrethe, on the palace balcony for his 56th birthday – his first since the change of throne.

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