Queen Margrethe, the former monarch of Denmark who abdicated in favor of her son, King Frederik, just over two years ago, has been admitted to a Copenhagen hospital for angina. The condition is a form of chest pain commonly associated with heart health concerns. A spokesperson for the royal family revealed the news today adding that the queen, “will be hospitalized over the weekend for observation and further examinations.”
While the news was obviously concerning , the palace clarified that Margrethe, “is tired but in good spirits.”
Health needs were one of the concerns that Margrethe highlighted in her surprise announcement about her abdication on New Year’s Ever 2023, saying at the time, “In February this year, I underwent extensive back surgery. Everything went well, thanks to the competent health personnel, who took care of me. Inevitably, the operation gave cause to thoughts about the future–whether now would be an appropriate time to pass on the responsibility to the next generation. I have decided that now is the right time.”
Her move to step down made her the first Danish monarch in almost 900 years to voluntarily abdicate, passing on the crown to her son Frederik. While Frederik’s wife, Queen Mary, took up the formal title of queen, Margrethe also maintained the honorific as well as the styling of Her Majesty. While Margrethe has continued to have a public role, her calendar has been somewhat curtailed since the abdication, in part due to additional health issues.
She was previously hospitalized last year, though the specific cause was not shared at that time.
Lauren Hubbard is a freelance writer and Town & Country contributor who covers beauty, shopping, entertainment, travel, home decor, wine, and cocktails.