After Queen Elizabeth IIs death Denmarks Margrethe becomes Europes longest serving monarch

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After QueenElizabeth II's death, Denmark's Margrethe becomes Europe's longest-servingmonarch

Hailed forunifying and modernising the Danish monarchy in her 50 years on the throne, the82-year-old is always impeccably coiffed with her white hair swept up in a bun.After Buckingham Palace confirmed the death of Britain's head of state,Denmark announced it will scale back golden jubilee festivities this weekend.

Becoming thefirst woman to hold the position of reigning queen in Denmark, Margrethecame to the throne at the age of 31 in January 1972 after the death of herfather. Only 45 per cent of Danes were in favour of the monarchy at thetime of her accession but she wanted to prove them wrong.

Allowing hertwo sons to marry commoners, Margrethe has managed to stay away from scandaland helped to modernise the institution. Enjoying the support of morethan 80 per cent of Danes, the Danish monarchy is one of the most popular inthe world.

While herthird cousin Queen Elizabeth was the British monarch for 70years, she has been reigning monarch of Denmark for 50 years and seven months. HerSwedish cousin Carl XVI Gustaf, who has been monarch for 48 years, trailsbehind her.

After Queen ElizabethII's demise, Margrethe is also Europe's only reigning queen even thoughfour other European countries have crown princesses. Born in Copenhagen in1940, Margrethe, the eldest of three sisters, eventually became the queen at atime when women were barred from inheriting the throne in Denmark.

Underpressure from successive Danish governments mindful of a need tomodernise society, the law was changed in 1953 following a referendum. With ascaled-down celebration due to the coronavirus pandemic, Margrethe marked the50th anniversary of her accession in January. Keeping the monarchy relevantwithout diminishing its status, she has repeatedly insisted that she will neverstep down from her duties.