COPENHAGEN (Dagbladet): This weekend, the Queen of Denmark Margrethe (82) celebrates her 50th birthday on the throne with a magnificent anniversary weekend in the Danish capital.
But the marking will be much more subdued than originally expected. Queen Elizabeth’s death on Thursday throws dark clouds over the anniversary, which has already been postponed once due to the pandemic.
Together in pain
The Danish monarch probably didn’t want to delay yet again, despite the gloomy news from Britain. Instead, Queen Margrethe adapted the schedule to smooth out the marking. A large reception at Copenhagen City Hall on Saturday was also postponed until later.
It was also the Queen of Denmark’s desire to fly the flag at half mast in Amalienborg all weekend.
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Celebratory service
Sunday at 10:00 the stage was set up for a celebratory service in the Church of Our Lady in central Copenhagen, albeit in an “appropriate form”, as stated in a press release from the Danish court on Friday.
Reveal your son’s reaction
There were 800 invited guests in the church. Present were the Danish royal family and official Denmark led by Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, as well as the Swedish and Norwegian royal couple. On Friday it was confirmed that King Harald (85) and Queen Sonja (85) would be taking part in the shortened anniversary.
OVERALL: Queen Margrethe arrives for service in the Church of Our Lady in Copenhagen. Photo: Martin Sylvest / NTB
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They arrived at the Church of Our Lady by bus at 09.50 am together with King Carl Gustav (76) and Queen Silvia (78) – before the arrival of the jubilee as usher.
However, press photographers were primarily interested in getting photos of the Danish crown prince’s family outside the church. Crown Prince Frederik (54) and Crown Princess Mary (50) shone on the red carpet alongside their four children Christian (16), Isabella (15) and twins Josephine and Vincent (11).
POPULAR: The family of the Danish Crown Prince gladly posed for photographers. Photo: Marcus Brenden / Dagbladet
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A solemn ceremony was held inside the church with, among other things, the singing of the Copenhagen children’s choir, as well as various hymns and prayers.
After the service, the royals were taken to lunch for the Nordic heads of state on the Danish royal ship Dannebrog. On Sunday evening, the anniversary will end with a gala in Christiansborg.
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A minute of silence
On Saturday, much of the program was changed, but in the evening there was a gala performance in the Kongens Nytorv Royal Theater. Here, too, the royals of Denmark, Norway and Sweden were in their place, as well as a large number of Danish politicians and other official figures.
Inside the theater the evening began with a homage of the late Queen Elizabeth.
SATURDAY: Saturday the family of the Danish Crown Prince outside the Royal Theater. Photo: Kristian Ridder-Nielsen / Dagbladet
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CELEBRATION: Harald and Sonja are going to the gala show on Saturday. Photo: Kristian Ridder-Nielsen / Dagbladet
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“In honor of Queen Elizabeth II, Her Majesty the Queen had decided to observe a minute of silence before the start of the evening’s gala performance at the Royal Theater’s Gamle Stage,” the Danish royal house wrote on Instagram Saturday night.
There were various sandwich canapes on the evening menu, including salmon and beef tartare. There was also cold smoked salmon, lantern tea, water cakes and coconut sandwiches for dessert.
The gala show consisted of classical music and excerpts from various plays, including William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” and “Hamlet”.
Philip’s body needs to be moved
Buckingham Palace announced on Saturday that Queen Elizabeth’s funeral ceremony will take place on Monday 19 September at Westminster Abbey. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (AP) has been invited and the Norwegian royal family is also expected to be represented.
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