Sure-footed Danish queen celebrates 40th jubilee

By Thomas Borchert Jan 13, 2012, 12:31 GMT

Copenhagen - Danish Queen Margrethe II celebrates her 40th jubilee Saturday amid massive public support for the monarchy among the 5.5-million-strong population.

A recent survey showed over 80 per cent in favour of the monarchy, an indication that the queen has succeeded well in her role and suggesting that the Danish monarchy has the highest approval rating among the royal houses of Europe.

In 1972 when the then 31-year-old crown princess ascended the throne sentiment was very different. Only 42 per cent of the Danes backed the royal house, that claims a more than 1,000-year history.

In an interview with Copenhagen daily Politiken, historian Jan Fabricius Moller attributed the dramatic swing to the fact that 'the queen has never put a foot wrong during her reign.'

Critics of the queen are not easy to find, but the 71-year-old monarch is self-critical. She has in many interviews stated that she was not a good mother to her sons, Crown Prince Frederik, 43, and 42-year-old Prince Joachim.

The queen has also had a guilty conscience towards her French-born husand, Prince Henrik, who a decade ago suffered somewhat of a midlife crisis and retreated for a while to his vineyard, Chateau de Cayx, in the south of France.

Henrik in 2002 publicly complained that he felt he was 'number three' at the court, implying he felt sidelined by the queen and the heirs to the throne.

'I did not offer my husband as much support as I should have. I overlooked the problem,' the queen said in a new biography published last month.

The biography, titled M - 40 Years on the Throne - was authored by Jens Andersen.

The queen's long experience has likely made her aware that such statements can also help her image. The queen, known in the royal family as Daisy, can even admit that she still is a heavy smoker who has not been able to kick the habit.

By comparison, her Swedish cousin, King Carl XVI Gustaf, has had a tougher time in recent years after the publication of an unathorized biography that alleged he risked his security and image by attending private parties at sleazy nightclubs featuring scantily-dressed women.

The queen has said she does not feel tired after her four decades on the throne, and her varied schedule and activitities allow her to 'completely forget how old one really is.'

'You look in the mirror and go 'oops' - and on to the next exciting project,' the queen told biographer Jens Andersen.

Queen Margrethe's interests include art and she has illustrated JRR Tolkien's trilogy, The Lord of the Rings.

She told reporters this week that she as queen had tried to 'be herself' and not follow a designated plan.

When the queen ascended to the throne on January 14, 1972, following the death of her father King Frederik IX, who had reigned for 25 years, she was less sure of herself.

She told her biographer and reporters this week, how she had asked her mother, Queen Ingrid, 'Mother, what shall we do?' Her mother replied: 'Daisy, you decide now. You have the say.'

At the news conference, the queen stated she felt strong support from her family, husband and the people of Denmark, saying 'I am a very lucky woman indeed.'