Queen Margrethe II Uses Walker at Award Ceremony Following Hospital Stays

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark made her first public appearance since her recent hospitalizations on Thursday, attending the presentation of the Prince Henrik Prize at Fredensborg Castle. The 86-year-old monarch was seen using a walker, a mobility aid, as she participated in the event.

Her attendance comes shortly after her discharge from Rigshospitalet on May 29th, where she had been admitted for five days to receive treatment for a hip hematoma. This followed a previous hospitalization from May 14th to 19th due to angina, during which she underwent a balloon angioplasty of her heart's coronary artery.

According to reports, Fredensborg Castle has been made more accessible for the Queen, with small ramps installed at doorways to facilitate her movement with the walker. For the award ceremony, Queen Margrethe wore a red skirt and a checkered jacket.

Earlier, the Queen had been scheduled to attend the official opening of the Queen Margrethe II's Bridge on Falster on Saturday. However, this engagement was canceled to allow her time for recovery after her hospital stay, as announced by the Royal House. Crown Prince Christian represented the royal family at the bridge opening, marking his first official duty in that capacity.

The Prince Henrik Prize, established in honor of the late Prince Henrik who passed away in 2018, is awarded annually on his birthday. It consists of 300,000 Danish kroner and a statuette. The prize recognizes individuals who have made a "remarkable contribution to Danish poetry," with last year's award going to writer, playwright, and translator Peter Laugesen.