Margrethe << mahr GRAY tuh >> II (1940-…) was queen of Denmark from 1972 to 2024. She succeeded her father, Frederik IX, upon his death in 1972.
Margrethe was born on April 16, 1940, in Copenhagen. Her full name is Margrethe Alexandrine Torhildur Ingrid. She became next in line for the throne in 1953, when the Danish Constitution was changed to enable women to rule. A lack of male heirs to the throne forced the change. In preparation for her reign, Margrethe attended universities in Denmark, England, and France. She presided over the Danish Cabinet at formal functions when her father was ill.
During the 1960’s, Margrethe traveled to Africa, the Far East, and the Middle East in connection with her interest in archaeology. In 1967, she married Henri de Laborde de Monpezat, a French count, who became Prince Henrik of Denmark. They had two sons, Frederik, the crown prince, and Joachim. In addition to performing her royal functions, Margrethe has worked as an artist and book illustrator, and her works have been exhibited publicly. Prince Henrik died in 2018. In January 2024, Margrethe abdicated (resigned from the throne). Her son Frederik was crowned King Frederik X.
