Queen Margrethe II of Denmark leaves hospital after heart surgery, cancels engagement

Denmark’s Queen Margaret II recovers at home after discharge from hospital following heart surgery.

The 86-year-old was admitted last Thursday after suffering a suspected heart attack.

On Friday she underwent balloon angioplasty of the coronary artery.

Margrethe, who abdicated in 2024 for her son and his Australian-born wife Queen Marynow rests in Fredensborg Palace.

The former monarch lives in the royal residence, north of Copenhagen. Two weeks ago, King Frederik and Queen Mary were officially present welcome to the palace where they traditionally stay during the summer months.

In a statement, the Royal House said: “Her Majesty Queen Margrethe has been discharged from Rigshospitalet today and is returning to Fredensborg Palace.

“Queen Margrethe would also like to thank you for the many kind thoughts and greetings sent to Her Majesty.”

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The queen needs rest, the palace added, and an official engagement at Tivoli’s Pantomime Theater on Saturday has now been cancelled.

Margrethe II was admitted to Rigshospitalet, Denmark’s largest hospital in Copenhagen, on Thursday, which happened to be the same day as King Frederick and Queen Mary celebrated their 22nd wedding anniversary.

Her most recent high-profile outing was on April 30, when she and King Frederik and Queen Mary Celebrating the 80th birthday of the Swedish king.

Since her abdication two years ago, Margrethe has continued to perform her official duties, but on a much smaller scale than when she was on the throne.

Her decision to abdicate the Danish throne after 52 years of rule came after a number of health problems, including major back surgery early 2023.

In her New Year’s Eve speech announcing plans to step down in December 2023, Margrethe said the operation led to “thoughts about the future” and when to pass the responsibilities of the crown to her son.

“I have decided that this is the right time,” she said in her speech.

“Time is taking its toll and the number of ‘ailments’ is increasing… You can’t do as much as you have in the past,” she added.

Margrethe has been using a walking stick for a number of years and is often seated during appointments.

Last May, Margrethe was admitted to hospital for several days after a cold.

Meanwhile, Queen Mary was at work on Tuesday and met with two Australian university students on exchange.

The Tasmania-born royal was at the University of Copenhagen to present the Queen Mary Scholarship to two new recipients.

The scholarship is awarded annually to two Australian exchange students with high academic achievement who are seeking professional and cultural development during their stay in Denmark.

This year the scholarships were awarded to Saffron Dewsnap from Deakin University and Charlotte Ines Ostrowski from the University of Melbourne.

The Queen Mary Scholarship was established by the University of Copenhagen in 2005 as part of the university’s wedding gift to the royal couple.

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