Monarchies Today - Royalty around the globe: A Book, Exhibition & Palace Gala - Princess Benedikte of Denmark celebrates her 75th Birthday!

Yesterday, April 29, Princess Benedikte of Denmark turned 75 years old. The royal, sister of Denmark's current Queen & of former Queen-consort of Greece, celebrated her Jubilee elegantly.

Princess Benedikte (right) with her
elder sister Queen Margrethe II

Her elder sister, Queen Margrethe II (of Denmark), welcomed her at the doors of Amalienborg palace (in Copenhagen) on her arrival in a horse-drawn carriage, for a gala banquet in her honour. The Princess' arrival was also accompanied by a musical royal fanfare (used when the Queen arrives).

Their younger sister, former Queen Anne-Marie

The banquet was attended by many VIP's & royal relatives, including Benedikte's younger sister Queen Anne-Marie, her two daughters (Alexandra & Nathalie), & her nephew Crown Prince Frederik with his wife, Crown Princess Mary.

However, Princess Benedikte started her birthday celebrations two days earlier, on Saturday 27 April (2019), with the opening of a fashion exhibition at Koldinghus museum (Kolding) in her honour.

The exhibition also featured the Princess' (1968) wedding dress

The exhibition, named "Princess of the Time: Princess Benedikte & 75-year Danish history" contains jewellery, gowns & dresses the Princess wore over the years & will remain open until November 3.

Her Royal Highness was joined there by her cousin, Count Ingolf of Rosenborg & his wife, Countess Sussie. First she was greeted by a scouts' organisation, which she patronises & then they watched 'a large horse show' outside the museum.

Benedikte was pleasantly surprised to see among the participants her daughter Princess Nathalie (43) with the horse, called Digby. Digby was raised by Benedikte, & was Nathalie's horse in 2008 Beijing Olympics, where she won a bronze medal. Digby has been retired since 2013, making a special ocassional comeback.

The Princess, who is also interested in equestrianism, later toured the exhibition, describing it 'nice & versatile, done in a fun way'.

Jubilee portrait for her 75th Birthday

Princess Benedikte Astrid Ingeborg Ingrid was born on 29 April 1944 at Frederick VIII palace (Amalienborg) in Copenhagen. She was the second of three daughters of future King Frederik IX & Queen Ingrid (née Princess of Sweden). As her birth ocurred during the Nazi occupation, it was welcomed with a bomb salute (instead of gun).

In 1947 her father inherited the throne, but it wasn't expected that any of his daughters would succeed him, as females were still barred from the throne. However this changed in 1953, when agnatic primogeniture was adopted & Benedikte older sister, Princess Margrethe, became their father's heiress-presumptive.

She eventually would succeed him in 1972.

Princess Benedikte received her education in private schools in Denmark, England & Switzerland, & attended further classes specializing in design (1965). She was the last of her sisters to marry (in February 1968); her husband, Prince Richard of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berlegurg, was a German noble & estate owner.

Princess Benedikte & Prince Richard before their marriage

Together they had three children: Gustav, current Prince of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, Princess Alexandra, Countess von Pfeil Und Klein Ellguth, & Princess Nathalie, formerly Mrs. Johannsmann (now divorsed). Through her daughters she has four grandchildren, while her son, who turned 50 earlier this year, is forcefully unmarried. Prince Richard died in March 2017, aged 82.

Princess Benedikte's daughters with
Count Michael Ahlefeldt-Laurvig-Bille

On her marriage the King degreed that Benedikte's children could be members of the Danish Royal family & in-line to the throne, only if they were raised in Denmark. However, the family lived in Germany, and so only Benedikte remains in line of succession.

She is active in royal engagements, either on behalf of her sovereign sister, or to her own royal patronages in Denmark.

Those initiatives of her particular interest & involvement include: Alzheimer Society, Green Girl Guides, Danish Guide & Scout Association and the World Diabetes Foundation, as well!.

Denmark's Crown Prince Frederik & Crown Princess Mary

Her new biography, a book called Benedikte - A royal Princess was published on her 75th birthday. It contains her shared interviews where she expresses her point of views, with her disagreement to royal overspending on new outfits, instead of recycling the old ones.

Princess Benedikte on Saturday, 27 April 2019

However it may contain some mediated hints to her relatives of a younger generation, Princess Benedikte is always in contact (& personally opened-up) with her two royal sisters, despite the big distance that separates them.

Videos from the Jubilee events (all in Danish):