Queen Mary and King Frederik host birthday luncheon for Queen Margrethe

Queen Margrethe of Denmark has celebrated her 85th birthday with her family and a large show of support outside Fredensborg Palace, north of Copenhagen.

The monarch, who abdicated in January last year over health concerns, was treated to a “birthday concert” in front of thousands of well-wishers.

King Frederik who was joined by his Australian-born wife, Queen Mary, and their four children, led the crowd in birthday cheers for his mum on Wednesday.

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The celebrations kicked off at midday when the birthday girl stepped out onto the main staircase of the palace for the performance by the Royal Life Guards Band in the inner palace courtyard.

Queen Margrethe, who was dressed in a tartan skirt and jacket combo with a white shirt, beamed broadly and waved at the crowd before her heir, Crown Prince Christian, assisted her down the steps.

Queen Margrethe was also joined by her two sisters, Princess Benedikte and Queen Anne-Marie of Greece, as well as two of her grandchildren from her second son, Prince Joachim.

Count Nikolai of Monpezat and his younger brother Count Felix of Monpezat stood alongside cousins Christian, Princess Isabella, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine.

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The family had just been celebrating Princess Isabella’s 18th birthday at a gala performance in Copenhagen on Tuesday evening (Wednesday AEST).

It’s the second year in a row Queen Margrethe’s birthday celebrations have moved from Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen, following the change of throne.

Following the public moment, the royal family went inside for a luncheon hosted by Queen Mary and King Frederik.

There’s also set to be a dinner to mark the occasion in the coming hours, with dignitaries and members of the court invited.

The Danish royal household released new portraits of Queen Margarethe for her birthday, showing her seated in a fetching royal purple dress.

The 85-year-old uses a walking stick after undergoing “extensive back surgery” in 2023.

She cited the health concerns as her primary reason for abdicating, in her new year address to the nation the same year.

“In February this year I underwent extensive back surgery,” she said in her announcement.

“Everything went well, thanks to the competent health personnel, who took care of me.

“Inevitably, the operation gave cause to thoughts about the future – whether now would be an appropriate time to pass on the responsibility to the next generation.

“I have decided that now is the right time.”

King Frederik and Queen Mary held a succession ceremony just two weeks after Queen Margrethe’s announcement, allowing her time out of the spotlight to rest and recover.

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However the octogenarian still keeps busy making public appearances and supporting charities she is still patron of as much as she can manage.

The 85th birthday celebrations come after Queen Margrethe’s 80th birthday plans in April 2020 were thwarted amid the pandemic.

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