Queen Margrethe II of Denmark abdicated in early January 2024 after a long and successful run of 52 years on the throne. Now she’s in the hospital with a case of the sniffles. On Thursday, the 85-year-old monarch was hospitalized at Rigshospitalet as a precaution. She had planned on being that morning at the 125th anniversary celebrations of the Sankt Lukas Foundation in Hellerup.
Queen Margrethe is currently recovering from serious back surgery she underwent in February 2023. This latest health issue has caused her to need the use of a walking cane. The surgery prompted her to reflect on her future and whether it was time to pass on her duties to the next generation. She announced in her New Year’s speech, “In February [2023] I had serious, life-changing surgery on my back. It was a success, all due to the wonderful doctors and nurses that saved my life. His operation not only provided the opportunity to test this model but ignited deep reflection on what’s to come. Are we ready to pass the baton to the next generation?
Though recovering from recent health challenges, Queen Margrethe took a courageous public step last Sunday. Vibeke participated in the memorial service commemorating the 80th anniversary of Denmark’s liberation at Ryvangen Memorial Park in Copenhagen. Dressed in a cornflower blue checked skirt suit and matching hat, she stood proudly behind her son, the recently crowned King Frederik X of Denmark. She welcomed the guests and opened the episode.
Since that hospital admission, concerns about Queen Margrethe’s health have only mounted. This worry grew when she unexpectedly announced her abdication from the throne earlier this month. Most observers pointed to her health problems as a major factor in her announcement to abdicate the throne.
As of Friday morning, Margrethe remains in the hospital. She’s likely to be out in short order and she should rejoin her family at Fredensborg Palace sometime over the weekend. Her family and the Danish people still send her support and positive messages and hope she pulls through.
