Denmark's former queen Margrethe, 86, has been admitted to the Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen after falling ill. The Danish royal house announced that she was taken to the hospital after feeling unwell and has been diagnosed with a blood accumulation in her hip — a haematoma — as well as mild dehydration. Both conditions are being treated, and she is expected to remain in hospital for observation and treatment for at least a week.

Despite the circumstances, the royal house described Margrethe as being in good spirits and keeping her courage up. No further complications have been announced, and the palace has indicated it will issue a new statement when more information becomes available.

Margrethe II abdicated voluntarily on 14 January 2024, passing the Danish throne to her son, who became King Frederik X. She had reigned for more than five decades and was one of Europe's longest-serving monarchs. Her hospitalisation means she will be unable to attend the funeral of Norwegian King Harald V in Oslo on Wednesday. Harald, who was 89, died in late August and was the oldest reigning monarch in Europe at the time of his death. The funeral has drawn royalty and heads of state from across the continent.

The timing of Margrethe's illness is significant, as her absence from Harald's funeral will be widely noted — the two royal families have long-standing ties, and such occasions are rare moments of pan-Scandinavian royal solidarity. Her condition, while described as manageable, serves as a reminder of the physical demands still placed on elderly former royals who remain active figures in public life.