It’s not often you get to see a monarch in their dressing gown. However, as Queen Margrethe of Denmark’s 80th birthday got under way, that’s just what happened. At the start of her special day, the Danish ruler was snapped as she hopped out of bed for a special song to mark the occasion.
Queen Margrethe was photographed enjoying the start of her celebrations in the historic Dome Hall at Fredensborg Castle. She stood at the top of a staircase as she was serenaded to mark her 80th birthday – with everyone involved keeping the requisite social distance between them as the coronavirus pandemic continues.
Margrethe had clearly just got up as she appeared in a flowery dressing gown with no make up on and her hair held back by a sensible headband. However, she looked very happy to receive the congratulations and celebratory song and three images of the moment were added to the Danish Royal Family’s official Instagram account.
The outbreak of coronavirus has altered Margrethe’s birthday celebrations. Fredensborg was meant to be the setting for a gala evening to mark her 80th – however, all her plans were cancelled in March soon after the Danish queen gave a poignant televised address in which she urged everyone to stay indoors to stop the spread of the virus.
Margrethe is living by herself in Fredensborg Castle at the moment so her family celebrations will also be on hold as her two sons and their families are isolating in Copenhagen. However, Danes across the country are being urged to come together to sing for their Queen during the day while they are also being asked to bake a special cake and even make dachshund hats, just as Margrethe did in a video to suggest how people could pass their time in lockdown.
Margrethe II was born on April 16th 1940. She became Queen of Denmark on January 14th 1972.