Denmark’s Queen Margrethe, 82, tests positive for Covid-19 after attending Queen Elizabeth II's funeral
COPENHAGEN, DENMARK: The Queen of Denmark, who is also a third cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, has contracted Covid-19. Margrethe II tested positive for the virus after attending the Queen's funeral on Monday, September 19, which also saw over 500 foreign heads of state and dignitaries.
After she tested positive, the ruler, who has been on the throne for five decades, called off her appointments as she is now quarantined in a wing of the Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen. She also canceled her plan to go to Norway for her winter holiday.
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The Daily Mail reported that she was not showing serious symptoms following the diagnosis. However, this was not the first time the 82-year-old got Covid. She tested positive in February but then too, she did not exhibit any serious symptoms.
This comes after England’s Foreign Office apologized for accidentally inviting Crown Princess Mary to the 96-year-old ruler’s funeral. First on September 13, a statement from the Danish Royals read, “Her Majesty The Queen and the Crown Prince Couple [will be] present at the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on September 19 2022 at Westminster Abbey in London, Great Britain.”
However, later on the day of the funeral, another statement was issued that added, “Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Crown Prince participate from Denmark.”
Now, the British Foreign Office’s spokesperson reportedly said, according to Vogue, “The FCDO has passed on their profound apologies to the Danish Royal Household through the Danish Embassy.” The Royal House also told Danish news outlet BT, “There has been a regrettable error in the invitation from the British Foreign Office's protocol.” As per the rules, only two dignitaries per country were allowed to attend.
Meanwhile, it has been said that after the Queen's death, Margrethe II has now become the world's only living Queen. She sent a letter to King Charles after his mother's death that read, “Your mother was very important to me and my family. She was a towering figure among the European monarchs and a great inspiration to us all. We shall miss her terribly.”
The Danish Queen was reportedly very close to the late British Queen, and the two used to call each other ‘Daisy’ and ‘Lilibet’ respectively. Margrethe II told Newsweek, “That's the way we have known each other always. That is what we call each other when we see and speak to one another.”
The funeral of Queen Elizabeth II happened days after she died on September 8 at Balmoral castle. As per The Guardian, her son said, "Thank you to all those countless people who have been such a support and comfort to my family and myself in this time of grief."
Besides, a statement from Buckingham Palace read, "The State Funeral of Her Majesty The Queen will take place at Westminster Abbey on Monday 19th September at 1100hrs BST. Following the State Funeral, the Coffin will travel in Procession from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch. From Wellington Arch, the Coffin will travel to Windsor and once there, the State Hearse will travel in Procession to St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle via the Long Walk. A Committal Service will then take place in St George's Chapel.”