Copenhagen – Undeterred by restrictions caused by the Corona crisis, countless Danes have celebrated Queen Margrethe II’s 80th birthday, with citizens across the country voting on Thursday at noon at home, at school or in parks into a series of serenades, as recorded by the DR and TV2 stations.
Led by professional musicians, they sang, among other things, the birthday classic “I dag er det Dronningens fodselsdag” (today is the queen’s birthday) and the one written by national poet Hans Christian Andersen Song “I Danmark er jed fodt” (I was born in Denmark). The honored listened to the musical congratulations from the sofa at Fredensborg Palace, as shown in a photo published by the royal family, and in one of the songs, she surprisingly looked up the stairs of the palace to wave at dozens of people who had come to the courtyard.
In a short video clip from DR, she thanked her for the congratulations. “It was a fantastic experience. It goes straight to the heart, “she said. Margrethe’s eight grandchildren also warmly congratulated her grandmother. “Congratulations!” crowned the four children of Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary in a short video greeting.
Because of the Coronavirus crisis, Margrethe’s grandsons could not spend the day of honor with their grandmother as planned. All official activities and celebrations for the royal milestone birthday had been canceled due to the pandemic – public gatherings with more than ten people are currently prohibited in the country. Margrethe herself asked to send her bouquets instead of older people on that day.
Behind the idea of singing their birthday together was a Facebook group called “Danmark singer for dronningen” (Denmark sings for the queen), which by Thursday had more than 190,000 people had joined. The aim was to defy the Corona crisis regardless of the location – in line with the motto currently prevailing in Denmark “together – but everyone for themselves”. Royal House on Instagram
