We'll Never Be Royals

One of my favorite things about living in Copenhagen is that the Queen and I are neighbors.  I mean, she's not living right next door to me.  But you could say we're in the same neighborhood.  At the very least, I'm "Queen Adjacent."

Way back in January, after the New Year, Gaius and I saw Queen Margrethe and waved as she drove by in her golden coach.

Just like Cinderella

Queen Margrethe can trace her lineage back over a thousand years to to the first Danish Viking rulers.  She is a descendant of Harald Bluetooth, after whom Bluetooth technology is named.

Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II is the first ruling queen of Denmark, ever.  There was another Queen Margrethe (the first), but she was only queen because her son was too young to rule.  They actually had to change the law in order for this Margrethe to become Queen.  

Did you know that in order to be King of Denmark, your name must be either Frederik or Christian?

Queen Margrethe is more than just a pretty face.  She's also an accomplished artist.  She paints and is a designer, among other artsy pursuits.

Queen Margrethe was born during the German Occupation of Denmark during World War II.  Her nickname is "Daisy."  When she was born, the jeweler, Georg Jensen presented her mother with a broach in the shape of a daisy to celebrate the birth of the princess.  I have earrings and a necklace now that match that broach.

Daisy Earrings

My second encounter with Queen Margrethe was on her birthday.  I went down to Amalienborg Palace and she came out on her balcony with the entire family to wave hello to the crowd.  The sweetest thing was when the entire crowd sang to her.

The Royal Family

Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary have four kids.  Their younger kids are enrolled in the Danish public schools.  In the morning, I've been told that you can see one or the other of them riding bikes alongside their younger kids on the way to school.  Isn't that cool?

På gensyn!