2022 marks the Golden Jubilee of Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II

Over the past half-century, the Queen has represented the nation at home and abroad under the motto ‘God’s help, the love of the people, and the strength of Denmark’ – and in 2022, Denmark will be celebrating their cherished Queen with events across the country, including in Copenhagen. Here's more on when, where, and what to look out for in connection with the 50 years anniversary. 

Denmark’s Royal Family is one of the oldest monarchies in the world, and its seat is Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen. As a visitor to the city, you can experience life as lived by the current Danish Royal Family, as well as their ancestors, as you walk down cobblestone streets and around gilded palaces, as well as in glorious deer parks and in Copenhagen shops.  

In 2022, the Royal Family will stand in an even larger spotlight than usual as Queen Margrethe celebrates 50 years on the throne with Golden Jubilee celebrations and events throughout the year.

But no matter when you visit Copenhagen, there are multiple ways to experience the royal city and participate in experiences fit for a queen. Discover castle ruins buried beneath the city going back hundreds of years, and court purveyors offering the perfect souvenir for you to take home. See a throne, once believed to be made of unicorn horns and go behind the scenes at a real royal palace. March beside the Royal Guard down the city streets accompanied by a piped band, and sip tea in a royal court-approved tea shop. Whatever you’re interested in seeing in Copenhagen, there’s almost certainly a royal connection.  

Denmark has been a kingdom since Viking times and has one of the oldest monarchies in the world. The current unified kingdom was founded by the Viking kings Gorm the Old and Harald Bluetooth - who gave his name to our modern-day Bluetooth devices - back in the 10th century. Read more about the Monarchy here.

In 2022, Queen Margrethe II will mark her Golden Jubilee. It celebrates her 50-year reign as head of state of Denmark, the Faroe Islands, and Greenland.  

Over the past half-century, the Queen has represented Denmark at home and abroad and is a much-loved figure in the country. Her motto ‘God’s help, the love of the people and the strength of Denmark’, reflects her approach to her role. 

Throughout 2022, Denmark will be celebrating its monarch with events around the country, including in Copenhagen.  

Events from the Royal House's calendar to celebrate the Golden Jubilee:

• 10 January - HM The Queen will hold a press conference at Amalienborg.  
• 14 January - HM The Queen’s Golden Jubilee. Among other events, the Queen will attend the Privy Council meeting and later lay a wreath at Frederik IX and Queen Ingrid’s grave to remember the 50th anniversary of the king’s death.
• 21 May - In honour of the Queens Golden Jubilee, an international ballet gala has been arranged at the Tivoli Concert Hall with prominent and world-class ballet dancers from all around the world. The ballet gala is divided into 3 acts, showcasing the world's leading ballet companies and their distinctive history and traditions. The ballet will be attended by her Majesty the Queen along with members of the Danish Royal Family. For those who do not secure a ticket in the Concert Hall, the entire ballet gala will be shown live on a big screen in front of the Concert Hall on the Lawn. Furthermore, Tivoli guests can look forward to the official opening of an exhibition in the Tivoli Gardens on the 21 of May with selected ballet costumes designed by the Queen through her 20 years of artistic work at Tivoli.
• 10 September - Due to the sad announcement about Queen Elizabeth II's death on the 8th of September, it is HM the Queen's wish to cancel the grand changing of the guard at Amalienborg Castle at 12:00. The visit to Copenhagen City Hall with entertainment is postponed until a later date. The command performance on the Old Stage of The Royal Danish Theatre will continue to be held in a modified form. In addition, the evening’s planned musical performance at Krinsen on Kongens Nytorv is canceled.​​
• 11 September - Celebratory church service at the Church of Our Lady – Copenhagen Cathedral will go forward in a modified form. At midday, a luncheon will be held on the Royal Yacht Dannebrog. In the evening, The Queen will hold a gala banquet at Christiansborg Palace, which will be carried out in a modified form. The royal family, foreign guests and representatives of official Denmark will participate. TV 2 will host an entertainment show.
• 23 September - The Queen will hold a soirée for the Government, the Danish Parliament, and Danish members of the European Parliament. The soirée is part of the celebration of the jubilee of The Queen’s accession to the throne, and, in addition to having dinner, the guests and the royal family will also be entertained in the Great Hall at Christiansborg Palace.

Historically, the island of Slotsholmen, where Christiansborg Palace lies, was the centre for the Danish monarchy and the seat of power in Denmark. Successive rulers and kings occupied this site from the 1100s, but when a fire destroyed the palace in 1794, the Royal Family moved to Amalienborg, where they live today. Around Slotsholmen today, you’ll find plenty of reminders of the former residents, including the Royal Library and Christiansborg Palace itself. Learn more about royal sights in Copenhagen here.

• When you’re at Amalienborg, check which flag is flying. The Royal Standard means the Royal Family are in residence; the Swallow-Tailed Flag means none of the members of the Royal Family are in residence.  

• Curious about who lives in which palace on Amalienborg Square? The Queen uses Christian IX’s palace as her winter residence (as you face the water, it is on your right). Prince Frederik and his family use Frederik VIII’s palace (facing the water, it is on your left), and Prince Joachim and his family use Christian VIII’s palace (facing the Marble Church, it is on your right). The other palace is used for guests.  

• The coronation chair of the Danish kings, used from 1671-1840 and now on display in Rosenborg Castle, was said to be made from unicorn horns. In reality, it is made from narwhal tusks from the Faroe Islands and Iceland.  

• Since 1450, Danish kings have alternately been called Frederik or Christian. Queen Margrethe has taken the place of a Christian and her heir apparent is Crown Prince Frederik.  

• Crown Prince Frederik is a keen sportsman and was a member of The International Olympic Committee from 2009 to 2021. He met his wife, the Australian-born Crown Princess Mary, at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.  

For a truly royal experience, visit the following food and design businesses during a trip to Copenhagen, all suppliers to the Royal Danish Court. It’s no mean feat to be on this list - to become a Purveyor to Her Majesty, businesses must show an established record of being a supplier to the Court for many years. Today there are 100 Danish and 6 foreign holders of the Royal Warrant. Read about these here.

• The 50 years anniversary of HM The Queen’s accession to the throne.

• Official jubilee portrait.

• The Royal House of Denmark's Media Centre.