Queen Sonja and Crown Princess Mette-Marit have attended the premiere of “Margrethe the First” – a brand new film about the Queen who united the Nordic countries to the Kalmar Union. Her Majesty and Her Royal Highness attended the Norwegian premiere of the new film at the Colosseum cinema in Oslo.
Queen Sonja and Crown Princess Mette-Marit were welcomed by board chairman Tone Wilhelmsen Trøen and general secretary Espen Stedje of the Nordic Association. The Queen and the Crown Princess then spoke to program producer Christin Berg in Nordic Film, Danish director Charlotte Sieling and four producers.
Queen Margrethe I was a great political talent who ruled with her heart and mind; she was a champion of women’s rights during a time when women did not have many and served as a role model to many. This is the first time a major film has been dedicated to Queen Margrethe I. Queen Margrethe’s life is an important part of the common Nordic history.
“Margrethe the First” is about Queen Margrethe, who reigned when Sweden, Norway and Denmark were united under the Kalmar Union. Trine Dyrholm portrays Margrethe.
The film is set in 1402 when Margrethe had achieved what no man has managed before: uniting Denmark, Norway and Sweden into a peaceful union. Margrethe managed the partnership through her young, adopted son, Prince Erik and Norwegian Prince Olav.
The Royal Court gave a short history of the former monarch: “Queen Margrethe I was one of the first in world history to use her position to uphold the dignity of women. Margrethe introduced ‘women’s peace,’ an important part of her political thinking. Women were protected and were to live in freedom both inside and outside of marriage. Queen Margrethe I grew up in medieval Oslo, at Akershus Castle, and is the last female regent in Norway so far.”
