Queen Margrethe is recuperating at the Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen following a cardiac procedure. Her past couple of weeks have been marked by celebrations and concern. On April 16th, the Queen celebrated her 86th birthday. Shortly after, she traveled to Stockholm to attend King Carl XVI Gustaf's 80th birthday festivities. Last week, she was admitted to the hospital after experiencing chest pains, and on Friday, she underwent a coronary angioplasty — a balloon dilation of a coronary artery.
Over the weekend, she received a key visit from her sister, Princess Benedikte.
© NurPhoto via Getty ImagesA Close-Knit Sisterhood
Queen Margrethe has two sisters: Queen Anne-Marie of Greece and Princess Benedikte of Denmark. The three daughters of King Frederik IX have always shared a close bond, and in recent years, they have been a steady source of support for one another.
"Everything is going well," said Princess Benedikte following her visit, as reported by HOLA! Spain. Afterward, she continued with her royal agenda, which included an appearance at Klampenborg Racecourse for an honorary race that bears her name. Princess Benedikte, the middle of the three sisters, turned 82 on April 29th and remains active in her royal duties.
© Getty ImagesFollowing Queen Margrethe's medical intervention, the Danish Royal House shared a statement. "Her Majesty Queen Margrethe, who was admitted on Thursday to Rigshospitalet, has received an angioplasty with a balloon in a coronary artery," said the house, as translated by HOLA! Spain. "As we've shared before, Queen Margrethe will stay in the hospital for a couple of days. Her Majesty is recovering satisfactorily."
Angioplasty is a minimally invasive procedure used to open blood vessels that are blocked or narrowed, restoring normal blood flow. It is most commonly applied to coronary arteries, though it can also be performed in other parts of the body.
© Patrick van Katwijk/Getty ImagesFrederik X Reassures the Public
Queen Margrethe's hospitalization briefly overshadowed King Frederik X's appearance in Aarhus on Sunday, where he attended a Danish football league match. While the King offered no medical details, he gave some reassuring words to the press and the public. "She's doing well, thank you," he told reporters.
It is still unknown when Queen Margrethe will be discharged, though all signs point to it being a matter of days. The Danish Royal House has not suspended any engagements from the Queen's calendar, which includes an upcoming theater visit in Copenhagen — a reflection of her lifelong dedication to the arts.
© Martin Sylvest Andersen
