When Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the throne, she had the support of the man she called her “strength and stay” in Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. In our new series, Royal Central takes a look at the other consorts of Europe in 1952.
Queen Ingrid of Denmark
The only daughter of a Swedish king, Ingrid was queen consort of Denmark from 1947 to 1972, later serving as Queen Mother when her daughter became Denmark’s first modern queen regnant.
Born into the world of royalty, Ingrid was well-adept when she married Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark on 15 March 1935. As Crown Princess, she and her husband welcomed three daughters—resulting in a change to the Act of Succession in 1953—and became the faces of resistance during the Second World War. Ingrid was also responsible for organising Girl Guides and supporting charities.
When her husband ascended to the throne as King Frederik IX, Ingrid became queen consort and devoted her time to charitable causes and also modernising the Danish royal court, helping to abolish old-fashioned policies and liven up receptions and other ceremonial aspects.
Queen Ingrid became Queen Mother in 1972 following the death of her husband, but remained an important and influential part of her daughter’s royal court. She often acted as regent when Queen Margrethe was unavailable and her grandsons—Crown Prince Frederik and Prince Joachim—were too young.
Queen Ingrid passed away on 7 November 2000, a popular and beloved member of the Danish Royal Family
