On June 10, 1967, Princess Margaret of Denmark married her French girlfriend in a quick 20-minute ceremony at Holmen Church in Copenhagen.
The future Queen met the diplomat Henri de Laborde de Monpeza while studying political science at the London School of Economics in the early 1960s.
The couple began dating and announced their engagement in October 1966.
Henri, who had to change his name to Henrik to sound more Danish, proposed with a striking Van Cleef & Arpels ‘moi et toi’ ring with two diamonds that reportedly measured six carats each.
This style was especially popular in the 19th century after Napoleon gave Josephine, Margaret’s ancestor, a similar ring set with a diamond and a sapphire.
Margarethe and Henrik’s quick marriage ceremony was perhaps a sign of trouble ahead.
The couple’s union was at times tumultuous, and Henrik at one point left his country for several weeks after a fight with his wife.
He also insisted that he did not want to be buried next to Margarethe, with his secretary stating that the decision was “the natural consequence of not having been treated equally with his wife.”
His wishes were granted when he died and his ashes were scattered in Danish waters and in the gardens of Fredonsborg Palace.
Margrethe married French diplomat Henri de Laborde de Monpeza at Holmen Church in Copenhagen in 1967.
To marry the future monarch of Denmark, Henry had to make several sacrifices.
In addition to changing his name, he converted from Catholicism to Lutheranism and abandoned his dream of continuing his diplomatic career.
Arriving at Holmen Church on the arm of her father, King Frederick IX, Margrethe was the picture of elegance in an ivory silk dress, designed by her mother’s favorite couturier, Jørgen Bender.
The Evangelical-Lutheran service was led by Erik Jensen, Bishop of Aalborg and Chaplin of the Royal Court.
Paying homage to family traditions, Margrethe’s dress featured a square neck and contrasting bodice, made from traditional lace from her late grandmother, Princess Margaret of Connaught.
The design also featured a spectacular 20-foot train that provided a stunning backdrop for the bride’s exquisite veil.
The Irish lace veil, which served as “something borrowed”, was previously worn by her late grandmother, Princess Margaret of Connaught, for her marriage to Prince Gustaf Adolphus of Sweden at Windsor Castle in 1905.
Henri proposed with a Van Cleef & Arpels ‘moi et toi’ ring, with two diamonds, supposedly measuring six carats each.
Arriving at Holmen Church on the arm of her father, King Frederick IX, Margrethe was the picture of elegance.
The princess wore an ivory silk dress by Danish couturier Jørgen Bender that featured a six-meter train.
Margrethe’s Irish lace veil was previously worn by her late grandmother, Princess Margaret of Connaught, for her marriage to Prince Gustaf Adolphus of Sweden at Windsor Castle in 1905.
The bride showed off another eye-catching accessory linked to her late grandmother: the Khedive tiara from Egypt.
This brilliant headdress was given to Margaret by the Khedive as a wedding gift in 1905.
It was worn as a bridal diadem by Margaret’s younger sister, Queen Anne Mary, in 1964, and later by all of Queen Ingrid’s daughters and granddaughters.
Margrethe, third cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II, also wore the Diamond Daisy brooch, a sizeable jewel set with diamonds.
It was lent by the late Queen Ingrid of Sweden, who received the brooch from her father, King Gustav VI Adolf of Sweden, and wore it on her wedding day in 1935.
The royal family of Denmark and royal figures from other countries gathered at Fredensborg Castle to celebrate the wedding.
After the ceremony, the couple headed to Fredensborg Palace and greeted well-wishers from the balcony.
The newlyweds were accompanied by their delighted parents on the balcony.
The Dutch royal family photographed on the wedding day of Prince Frederik and Mary Donaldson in 2004.
The couple’s union was at times tumultuous, and Henrik at one point left his country for several weeks after a fight with his wife. Above: The couple in 2002
Decades later, in 2000, Ingrid permanently gifted the jewel to Margrethe, who has worn it in several notable appearances, including her New Year’s Eve speech announcing her abdication.
Margrethe completed her bridal look with a pair of diamond and pearl earrings, which were a gift from her future husband.
After the ceremony, Crown Princess Margaret and Prince Henrik rode through the streets of Copenhagen in an open carriage, greeting well-wishers who lined the road.
The couple soon arrived at Fredensborg Palace, where King Frederick and Queen Ingrid hosted an extravagant reception in their honour.
During his wedding speech, Prince Henrik is said to have referred to his bride as “the most beautiful flower in Denmark’s lush garden.”
The couple had two sons, Frederik, born in 1968, and Joachim, born in 1969.
Margaret succeeded her father, King Frederick IX, upon his death in January 1972, becoming the first female Danish sovereign under the new Succession Law.
In January, after 52 years on the throne, he made the decision to abdicate in favor of Fredrik.
