Crowds fete Danish queen on her 40th jubilee

Jan 14, 2012, 13:43 GMT

Copenhagen - Crowds thronged the streets of central Copenhagen on Saturday to fete Danish Queen Margrethe II, who celebrated her 40th jubilee with a ride in a golden carriage.

Members of the queen's horse guard escorted the queen and her husband, French-born Prince Henrik, who rode in the shimmering carriage drawn by six dapple-grey and white horses.

Many who lined the route from the Amalienborg palace square to the city hall waved red-and-white Danish flags, as did many in the crowd that packed the city hall square.

Big screens allowed the crowd to follow a musical performance in the queen's honour at the city hall, which comprised a 500-strong choir from all over Denmark, as well as self-ruling Greenland.

After receiving a gift from the mayor, the 71-year-old queen said she felt Copenhagen had a 'special place in her heart' as the city where she was born and lived.

Dignitaries at the city hall included the kings and queens of Norway and Sweden, the president of Iceland and members of the Danish government.

Queen Margrethe became monarch exactly 40 years ago Saturday following the death of her father, King Frederik IX, who had reigned for 25 years.

Other events during the jubilee weekend were a gala performance for the queen on Saturday evening. On Sunday she was set to hold her 500th state council meeting with the cabinet as well as attend a church service and banquet.

The jubilee started on a more solemn note as the queen travelled by train to the nearby city of Roskilde to lay a wreath on the graves of her parents, King Frederik and Queen Ingrid. Most Danish monarchs have been laid to rest at Roskilde's medieval cathedral since the 15th century.

The queen's two sisters - Princess Benedikte and Anne-Marie, who is married to former King Constantine of Greece - each laid a wreath.

The private ceremony was also attended by other members of the royal family, including Crown Prince Frederik and his Australian-born wife Mary, and Prince Joachim. Absent was Joachim's French-born wife Marie, who is expecting their second child in a few weeks.

Support for the Danish monarchy is at over 80 per cent, according to latest surveys, the highest approval rating among the royal houses of Europe.

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

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.'