The timing of the Copenhagen culture festival Golden Days couldn’t have been better. Coinciding with the month chosen to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Margrethe II, fully 50 years and eight months after she acceded to the Danish throne in January 1972, Her Majesty visited Kongens Nytorv on September 2 where 50 female icons have been placed on pedestals to celebrate the 2022 theme ‘50 Queens’. And just like that, the heavens obliged to shine down: behold our ‘Golden Queen’!

A day earlier, the Queen visited Frederiksberg, fulfilling a hectic schedule, visiting both the town hall and castle. The gallantry and pedantry were on full display, giving the public a taste of what they could expect over the rest of September. But sadly the passing of Queen Elizabeth II resulted in Margrethe deciding to put the carriage away for the rest of the proceedings on September 10-11. On the first day, a luncheon at Copenhagen City Hall was cancelled, along with an appearance on the balcony of Christian IX’s palace in Amalienborg. But fortunately, the gala performance at Gamle Scene that evening, and the service at Copenhagen Cathedral on the following day, were able to go ahead with adjusted formats, out of respect to the late British Queen. Should Margrethe emulate her and celebrate her Diamond jubilee in a decade’s time, she’ll overtake King Christian IV, who managed 59 years on the throne, as Denmark’s longest ever ruler

Everyone who’s anyone in the Nordics was there: The Queen (above), of course, and legions of royals and clergy as well (below)

Among the dignitaries in attendance were Finnish President Sauli Niinistö, Icelandic President Guðni Thorlacius Jóhannesson, Copenhagen Lord Mayor Sophie Hæstorp Andersen, and Romanian ambassador Alexandru Grădinar, the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps

The celebrations wouldn’t be complete without a gala performance at Gamle Scene, the Royal Theatre’s home of ballet, where guests were treated to a special show celebrating the best of the Danish arts. The Queen (below) was joined the Royal Prince Couple, or at least the members whose bedtime didn’t infringe on their participation

This was an occasion first and foremost for royalty. Among those in attendance were (below) the Queen’s sisters Princess Benedikte and Queen Anne-Marie of Greece, Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf, Norwegian King Harald V, Prince Joaquim’s family, and Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg

Also in attendance were Danish prime ministers past and present, 2001 until 2022 – (below) Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Helle Thorning Schmidt, Lars Løkke Rasmussen and Mette Frederiksen – but who will be next? Maybe the leaders of Konservative, Danmarksdemokraterne or Venstre, Søren Pape Poulsen and Inge Støjberg, and Jakob Ellemann-Jensen – only a fool would bet against Inge after the year she’s had!