This month marks a very special birthday for a popular and successful queen. Margrethe II turns 80 on April 16th and in the run up to her big day, Royal Central will be taking a look at some of the major moments in her life. And today, we start with one of her most special roles – being a granny.
Queen Margrethe is a loving grandmother to eight grandchildren: Prince Christian, Princess Isabella, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine (through Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary); Prince Nikolai and Prince Felix (through Prince Joachim and Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg); and Prince Henrik and Princess Athena (through Prince Joachim and Princess Marie).
Today, let’s take a look at some of Queen Margrethe’s best moments with her grandchildren.
Embed from Getty ImagesQueen Margrethe’s first grandchild, Prince Nikolai, was born on 28 August 1999. Here, Queen Margrethe is pictured (in deep blue on the left) at her grandson’s christening on 6 November.
Embed from Getty ImagesIn 2002, her second grandchild, Prince Felix, was born. Here, Queen Margrethe is pictured with Princes Nikolai and Felix, her husband, Prince Henrik, and her son, Prince Joachim, on the balcony of Amalienborg Palace for her 65th birthday in 2005.
Embed from Getty ImagesPrince Christian, Queen Margrethe’s first grandchild through Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary, was born on 14 October 2005 and christened the following January.
Embed from Getty ImagesQueen Margrethe released this official portrait in June 2007. It features her and Prince Henrik with their three grandsons: Prince Christian, Prince Felix, and Prince Nikolai. Their first granddaughter, Princess Isabella, was born on 21 April 2007.
Embed from Getty ImagesQueen Margrethe holding her newborn granddaughter Princess Isabella in 2007.
Embed from Getty ImagesQueen Margrethe and Prince Henrik are pictured here escorting Prince Nikolai and Prince Felix to the christening of their baby brother, Prince Henrik, in 2009.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Crown Prince Family at the christening of Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine in 2011. Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik are walking out of the chapel behind them. The Danish royal twins were born on 8 January 2011.
Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik holding their newborn grandchildren, twins Prince Vincent and Princess Isabella, in 2011 at Gråsten Palace.
Embed from Getty ImagesQueen Margrethe, Crown Princess Mary, and Princess Josephine at Gråsten Palace in 2011.
Embed from Getty ImagesQueen Margrethe with Princess Isabella, and Prince Henrik with Prince Christian at the annual summer photocall at Gråsten Palace in 2012.
Embed from Getty ImagesWalking hand-in-hand with Princess Isabella on their way to the annual summer photocall in 2013.
Embed from Getty ImagesFlanked by Prince Christian, Prince Henrik, Prince Nikolai and Princess Athena in 2013. Princess Athena, the youngest grandchild of Queen Margrethe, was born on 24 January 2012.
Embed from Getty ImagesQueen Margrethe and Prince Christian sharing a laugh at Gråsten Palace in 2015 during an annual summer photocall.
Embed from Getty ImagesQueen Margrethe and her grandchildren on the balcony for her 76th birthday in 2016.
Embed from Getty ImagesQueen Margrethe sharing a warm moment with Princess Isabella in 2016.
Embed from Getty ImagesQueen Margrethe is pictured here at the Ringsted ceremony at Gråsten Palace with Prince Christian, Princess Isabella, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine.
Embed from Getty ImagesPrince Felix was confirmed in 2017. He’s pictured here with his maternal family.
Embed from Getty ImagesPrince Vincent is pictured here with his grandparents in 2017.
Embed from Getty ImagesQueen Margrethe smiling at her granddaughter, Princess Athena, and grandson, Prince Henrik, in 2017.
Embed from Getty ImagesOn her 78th birthday, Queen Margrethe was joined by all of her grandchildren to receive birthday wishes from the crowd.
Embed from Getty ImagesQueen Margrethe led the birthday cheers for Crown Prince Frederik’s 50th birthday in 2018.
Embed from Getty ImagesOn her 79th birthday last year, Queen Margrethe was joined by Prince Christian, Princess Isabella, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine on the balcony at Marselisborg Palace.
