The observance of Her Majesty The Queen’s 80th birthday on 16 April 2020 will be a celebration of the life and work of Denmark’s head of state. The 80th birthday will be yet another milepost in the monarch’s longtime efforts in behalf of Denmark, and through various items on the program, the red-letter day will mark the special connection between the monarchy’s thousand-year history and modern Denmark, which Her Majesty represents. With her work, The Queen represents Denmark abroad just as Her Majesty and the royal family bring the Danish people together here at home all the year round.

Birthday program:

2 April The Queen participates in the opening of the exhibition “The Faces of The Queen” at the Museum of National History at Frederiksborg Palace. The exhibition portrays The Queen’s life, work and special interests. The exhibition will display films, costumes and stage scenery elements as well as a large number of the portraits of The Queen that have been made over the past 80 years.

3 April The Queen holds a news conference in the Garden Hall at Fredensborg Palace.

14 April The Queen rides in the coach from Amalienborg to the Royal Theatre’s Old Stage, where Her Majesty, the royal family and invited guests attend a command performance, which will be broadcast on DR 1.

15 April Children from Denmark’s municipalities celebrate The Queen at Christiansborg Palace in the morning. The arrangement is the birthday gift from the Danish municipalities to Denmark’s Queen. At the same place in the evening, The Queen hosts a gala dinner for official Denmark and guests from Denmark and abroad. For the dinner, there will be a program featuring a variety of entertainment put together in cooperation with TV2.    

16 April The day begins with a morning wake-up call at Fredensborg Palace, with family and friends participating. At the stroke of 12:00, the Danish people will have the opportunity to say “Happy Birthday” when The Queen and the royal family step out on the balcony of Christian IX’s Palace, Amalienborg. Afterwards, The Queen rides in the coach through the city’s streets to Copenhagen City Hall, where there will be speeches and entertainment and where Her Majesty will appear on the City Hall balcony. The actual birthday concludes with a private dinner and dancing at Fredensborg Palace, with the royal family and guests from Denmark and abroad taking part.

25 April Tivoli celebrates The Queen with a ballet gala at Tivoli’s Concert Hall. Later, there is a dinner at Restaurant Nimb for specially invited guests, and the evening concludes with a festive fireworks display.

5-6 June The Queen goes on a summer cruise aboard the Royal Yacht Dannebrog with visits in the Municipality of Aarhus as part of the birthday celebration. 

In connection with the birthday, The Queen will also receive a number of groups representing various organizations.

On the Royal Danish House’s website, a theme page including information about the arrangements connected with The Queen’s round birthday is set up. The page will be updated continuously with, among other things, information about media registration and accreditation for covering the arrangements.

On the occasion of the 80th birthday, an official birthday portrait and a logo produced in connection with the celebration are issued. The portrait was taken by photographer Per Morten Abrahamsen, and the logo was produced by the graphic designers Søren Varming and Henrik Kubel in cooperation with Wonderful Copenhagen. The materials are at the disposal of businesses, municipalities, organizations, shops and towns that wish to take part in the celebration of The Queen’s 80th birthday.  ​​​​​

Lene Balleby
Director of Communications