Denmark's Queen Margrethe hospitalised in Copenhagen with chest pain, royal court says

By Gavin Blackburn Published on 14/05/2026 - 15:28 GMT+2 Share Comments Share Facebook Twitter Flipboard Send Reddit Linkedin Messenger Telegram VK Bluesky Threads Whatsapp

Hugely popular among Danes for subtly modernising the monarchy, Margrethe has faced multiple health problems in recent years.

Denmark's Queen Margrethe, who abdicated in 2024 has been admitted to hospital due to chest pain, the Royal House of Denmark said on Thursday.

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The 86-year-old Queen was admitted to Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen's main hospital, "this afternoon due to angina," the court said in a statement.

She will remain in hospital over the weekend for observation and further examinations, the court added.

"Her Majesty is tired, but in good spirits," it said.

The former sovereign reigned in the Scandinavian country for 52 years before passing the throne to her eldest son Frederik in January 2024.

Hugely popular among Danes for subtly modernising the monarchy, Margrethe has faced multiple health problems in recent years.

She had long vowed that she would never abdicate, but major back surgery in 2023 led to a change of heart.

Margrethe also has a significant interest in the arts.

As a designer she won a Danish film award for best costume in 2024 and translated Simone de Beauvoir's "All Men Are Mortal" under a pseudonym with her late husband, Prince Consort Henrik.

She has also illustrated several books, including J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings."

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• European Union
• Queen
• Denmark
• hospital
• royal family