SUPPORT OUR JOURNALISM: Please consider donating to keep our website running and free for all - thank you!

DONATE NOW
European Royals

We three queens and just one king: a very royal turnout for a Christmas celebration

By
1st December 2024

The royal countdown to Christmas got under way with a majestic festive show put on by one queen and celebrated by another three.

Queen Margrethe of Denmark welcomed regal relatives and friends to the famous Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen to see her work on a production of a favourite Christmas ballet, The Nutcracker.

Queen Margrethe, who abdicated in January after 52 years as Danish monarch, has had a leading role in the production and design of this version of Tchaikovsky’s famous work. The queen is responsible for the scenography and the costumes for the show.

Queen Margrethe was given a standing ovation at the end of the premiere of The Nutcracker on the day before Advent
(Det Danske Kongehuset Instagram still/ fair use)

As the curtain finally went up, on the eve of Advent, three queens joined Margrethe at the Tivoli for the opening night. Her daughter-in-law, Queen Mary, and her sister, Queen Anne-Marie of Greece, were there along with Queen Margrethe’s good friend, Queen Sonja of Norway.

Frederik X, with his children Princess Isabella and Prince Vincent, was the only king in the audience
(Det Danske Kongehuset Instagram still/ fair use)

King Frederik, who took the throne on his mother’s abdication on January 14th 2024, was also present. Frederik X and Queen Mary were accompanied by three of their four children – Princess Isabella, 17, and thirteen year old twins, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine. Their eldest child, Crown Prince Christian, 19, is still in east Africa where he has been working on farms after leaving school this summer.

Queen Margrethe’s sisters, Queen Anne-Marie and Princess Benedikte, were in the audience on opening night
(Det Danske Kongehuset Instagram still/ fair use)

Another of Queen Margrethe’s grandchildren, Count Felix, joined the family celebration, arriving with his great aunt, Princess Benedikte.

This version of the Nutcracker is also a celebration of Danish culture and includes references to some of the country’s most famous cultural icons including Hans Christian Anderson. It runs at the Tivoli until December 29th 2024.

Share:
About author

Lydia Starbuck is Editor in Chief at Royal Central and the main producer and presenter of the Royal Central Podcast and Royal Central Extra. Lydia is also a pen name of June Woolerton who is a journalist and writer with over twenty years experience in TV, radio, print and online. Her latest book, A History of British Royal Jubilees, is out now. Her new book, The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr, will be published in March 2024. June is an award winning reporter, producer and editor. She's appeared on outlets including BBC 5 Live, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Local Radio and has also helped set up a commercial radio station. June is also an accomplished writer with a wide range of material published online and in print. She is the author of two novels, published as e-books. She is also a marriage registrar and ceremony celebrant.