Danish State Visit to Britain, 1974

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh hosted Queen Margrethe II and Prince Henrik of Denmark at Windsor Castle on their first State Visit to Britain on this day in 1974, 50 years ago, which was followed by the British State Visit to Denmark in 1979, and another Danish State Visit to Britain in 2000, celebrating the close relationships between the Kingdoms and the Royal Families.

The Danish Royal Couple arrived in London on the Royal Yacht Dannebrog and were received by the Queen and British Royal Family in an Official Welcome Ceremony at Windsor Castle.

That evening, the Queen (wearing Queen Alexandra’s Kokoshnik Tiara, Festoon Necklace, Greville Diamond Chandelier Earrings and Order of the Elephant) and Duke of Edinburgh (in the Order of the Elephant) hosted a State Banquet in honour of Queen Margrethe (wearing the Pearl Poiré Tiara and the Royal Victorian Chain) and Prince Henrik (in the Royal Victorian Order) at Windsor Castle.

During the State Visit, Queen Margrethe (in Princess Dagmar’s Diamond Floral Tiara and the Antique Diamond Parure) and Prince Henrik attended a Banquet hosted by the Lord Mayor of London at the Guildhall.

At the end of the State Visit, Queen Margrethe (wearing the Alexandrine Drop Tiara and Queen Alexandrine’s Sapphire Parure) and Prince Henrik hosted a Return Banquet for the Queen (wearing the Vladimir Tiara, Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee Necklace and the Duchess of Gloucester’s Pendant Earrings) and Duke of Edinburgh at Claridge’s Hotel in London.

Other members of the British Royal Family included the Queen Mother (in the Greville Tiara), Duke and Duchess of Kent (wearing Queen Mary’s Bandeau), and Princess Alexandra (in the Ogilvy Tiara), alongside Prince George and Princess Anne of Denmark (wearing a Fringe Tiara).

Queen Margrethe presented the Colours to the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th (Volunteer) Battalions of The Queen’s Regiment at Armoury House before Queen Margrethe (wearing the Antique Diamond Parure) and Prince Henrik attended the Anglo-Danish Society’s Jubilee Dinner at the Royal Garden Hotel in London.