Queen Margrethe of Denmark has today been discharged from hospital following her second stay there in less than a month, the royal household has announced. Denmark’s former monarch has returned to Fredensborg Palace, where she will recover and “take it easy” from there, a statement said.

Margrethe, 86, was taken to Rigshospitalet, the largest public and teaching hospital in Copenhagen, earlier this week after a CT scan showed a large blood clot in the hip region as a result of a previous fall. It came just days after she suffered a heart attack and was admitted and discharged again. The royal will continue her official duties after the medical team’s evaluation, but her scheduled appearances have not been altered.

The statement, released on Friday, read: “Her Majesty Queen Margrethe is on her way home to Fredensborg Palace after being discharged from Rigshospitalet over lunch.

“Her Majesty is doing well, but, as with her discharge from the hospital on May 19, must continue to take it easy.

“Queen Margrethe's participation in planned appearances will be assessed on an ongoing basis.

“At present, there are no changes to already announced official appearances.”

It’s been a challenging month for Denmark's longest-reigning monarch, who stepped down in January 2024 after 52 years, handing the throne to her oldest son, now-King Frederik.

On May 14, Margrethe was admitted to hospital after suffering a heart attack.

At the time, the announcement said that Margrethe is in good spirits, albeit tired.

In a new update the next day, the royal household announced she had undergone balloon angioplasty of the coronary artery, before being discharged on May 19.

The statement read: “Queen Margrethe also wishes to thank you for the many kind thoughts and greetings that have been sent to Her Majesty.

“In the coming time, Her Majesty must remain calm, and the planned presence at the Pantomime Theatre on Saturday, May 23, is therefore cancelled.”

Margrethe made clear that her health was part of the reason she gave up her responsibilities.

In her address on New Year's Eve in 2023, Margrethe said: "The surgery naturally gave rise to thinking about the future - whether the time had come to leave the responsibility to the next generation."

She added: "I have decided that now is the right time. On 14 January 2024 – 52 years after I succeeded my beloved father – I will step down as queen of Denmark."