Queen Margrethe of Denmark hospitalised in Copenhagen with hip haematoma
Denmark's 86-year-old Queen Margrethe has entered Rigshospitalet for observation and treatment of a hip haematoma and mild dehydration, forcing her to miss King Harald V's state funeral in Oslo.
Hospital admission in Copenhagen
Queen Margrethe of Denmark was admitted to Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen on Sunday, 6 September 2026, after feeling unwell. The Royal House of Denmark confirmed through an official communication from Amalienborg Palace that the 86-year-old former monarch underwent diagnostic examinations following her indisposition. Those medical checks revealed a new haematoma in her hip region together with mild dehydration. Palace officials reported that Margrethe is responding to medical care, remains in good spirits, and is feeling well under the circumstances. She is expected to remain in the hospital for the coming week to undergo treatment and continuous observation, with the palace pledging to issue further official updates if her condition changes.
Absence from Norwegian state funeral
Her hospital admission prevents Queen Margrethe from travelling to Norway for the state funeral of King Harald V, scheduled for Wednesday, 9 September 2026, at Oslo Cathedral. King Harald died on 28 August 2026 at the age of 89. Margrethe had originally planned to travel to Oslo in the company of her son, King Frederik X, and daughter-in-law, Queen Mary. Following her hospitalisation, Denmark's official representation at the cathedral ceremony will consist of King Frederik X, Queen Mary, Margrethe's sister Princess Benedikte, and Crown Prince Christian. The funeral will be attended by representatives of multiple European monarchies, including King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, and Queen Emerita Sofia of Spain.
Medical history throughout 2026
The admission on 6 September 2026 is Queen Margrethe's third hospital stay of the year. On 14 May 2026, she was hospitalized at Rigshospitalet with angina pectoris and heart complications, undergoing emergency balloon angioplasty on a coronary artery before being discharged after five days. Six days after her release, she returned to the hospital on 20 May 2026 after physicians detected a large blood clot in her hip region resulting from an earlier fall. Margrethe remained hospitalized until her discharge on 29 May 2026, recovering sufficiently to reappear in public and resume her official agenda in June 2026.
- Admitted to Rigshospitalet for angina and undergoes coronary balloon angioplasty
- Discharged from hospital following treatment for a hip thrombus
- Reappears in public and resumes official royal engagements
- Admitted to Rigshospitalet with a new hip haematoma and mild dehydration
- State funeral of King Harald V of Norway held at Oslo Cathedral
Royal role following abdication
The Royal House of Denmark confirmed that physicians are actively addressing both conditions diagnosed over the weekend.
A new haematoma in the hip region has been observed, as well as mild dehydration. Both must be treated.
Margrethe previously stepped down from the Danish throne in January 2024 after a 52-year reign, passing the crown to King Frederik X. Her unexpected decision was announced during her traditional New Year's Eve address, despite earlier declarations that her role as monarch was for life. She cited her advancing age, complications stemming from complicated back surgery, and the necessity of handing duties to the next generation as the reasons for her withdrawal. Since the abdication, Margrethe has retained the title of Queen and continued to undertake public duties and official engagements.
