Queen Margrethe II of Denmark Admitted to Hospital After Fall

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, 84, who made headlines earlier this year by abdicating after 52 years on the throne, is currently receiving care at Copenhagen's University Hospital following a fall at her residence, Fredensborg Castle.

Lene Balleby, Director of Communications for the Danish Palace, reported that “Given the circumstances, the queen is doing well but is being kept under observation for the time being.” Her eldest son and successor, King Frederik X, assured reporters outside a recent event that the queen “is in good hands,” adding, “We take it day by day. The doctors are the ones who decide.”

The queen had planned to attend a significant event commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Department of Archaeology at Aarhus University, reflecting her long-standing passion for the field. She often expressed that had fate not led her to the throne, she would have pursued a career in archaeology.

Despite her popularity in Denmark, her abdication earlier this year drew a contrasting reaction from Norway's King Harald V. When questioned about his own views on abdication, he emphasized, “I stick by what I’ve always said, that I swore an oath to the Storting (parliament), and it is for life.” King Harald, like the late Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain, believes in the lifelong commitment to the monarchy, a sentiment that contrasts with Margrethe’s recent decision to step down.

Queen Margrethe’s abdication marked a historic moment, being the first for a Danish sovereign in nearly nine centuries and leaving no reigning female monarch in any European monarchy. King Harald, who has ruled Norway since 1991, congratulated the new Danish monarch, King Frederik X, and Queen Mary, commending Margrethe for her dedicated service to her nation: “Her Majesty Queen Margrethe has followed her country and her people through times of joy and sorrow with warmth, wisdom, and dedication.”

As the royal family and the public await updates on the queen’s recovery, her legacy of service and devotion remains a significant part of Denmark's history.