NEED TO KNOW
- Queen Margrethe of Denmark was photographed for the first time on May 22 after being hospitalized earlier this month
- The royal was discharged from the hospital on May 10 after being admitted days earlier for observation after contracting a cold
- The 85-year-old Queen abdicated in January 2024, making her elder son the new monarch, King Frederik
Queen Margrethe of Denmark returned to royal duties following her hospitalization earlier this month.
The 85-year-old royal received the Danish Bible Society’s 2025 Prize on Thursday, May 22, and was photographed accepting the award in the Garden Hall at Fredensborg Castle.
The former monarch — who abdicated in January 2024, passing the throne to her son, King Frederik — was awarded the honor “for her many-year commitment to faith, church life and Bible propagation,” the Danish royal family said in an Instagram post.
“The Bible Society Award was established in 2007 and is awarded to an individual who is recognized for special efforts to make the Bible present in the community,” the post continued, translated from Danish. “The [prize] consists, among other things, of a framed original magazine from an early Danish bible edition.”
Queen Margrethe wore a pink and red checkered blazer and red skirt to accept the award, and she was photographed using a walking stick, which she has used in recent years.
It was the first public appearance for the former Danish monarch since she was hospitalized at Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen on May 8 as a precaution after contracting a cold. Queen Margrethe canceled a handful of planned appearances, but was released just two days later.
“Her Majesty is well and is now back in her residence at Fredensborg Palace,” the Danish Royal House announced in a statement on May 10.
Queen Margrethe cited her health while announcing her plans for abdication in a New Year’s Eve speech in 2023.
“In February this year, I underwent extensive back surgery. Everything went well, thanks to the competent health personnel, who took care of me,” she said, in part. “Inevitably, the operation gave cause to thoughts about the future – whether now would be an appropriate time to pass on the responsibility to the next generation. I have decided that now is the right time.”
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King Frederik acceded to the throne in January 2024, and his Australian-born wife became his queen consort, Queen Mary. Their eldest son and heir, Crown Prince Christian, began his mandatory military training in February, serving with the Guard Hussar cavalry regiment at Antvorskov Barracks.
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