Engagement of Princess Margrethe of Denmark and Count Henri de Laborde de Monpezat

The Danish Royal Family announced the Engagement of Princess Margrethe of Denmark, the Heir to the Danish Throne, and Count Henri de Laborde de Monpezat on this day in 1966, 60 years ago, ahead of the Wedding in June 1967.

King Frederik IX and Queen Ingrid of Denmark announced the Engagement of Hereditary Princess Margrethe of Denmark and Count Henri de Laborde de Monpezat from Fredensborg Castle outside Copenhagen, joined by Count Andre and Countess Renee de Laborde de Monpezat as well as Princess Benedikte.

On October 4, 1966, the Danish Parliament approved the marriage. It was noted that even the Socialist members consented to the marriage with the message that this did not indicate their approval of the monarchy in general. Upon approval of the marriage by Parliament, Danish Prime Minister Jens Otto Krag wished the couple luck and a happy marriage on behalf of the public. The following morning, King Frederik VIlI formally asked the State Council to approve the marriage of the heir to the throne. The approval was granted as expected. Henri and Margrethe took a group photo with Frederik and members of the State Council following the decision.

Following the announcement, the engaged Hereditary Princess and Count Henri waved to the crowds from the Balcony of Frederik VIII’s Palace in Amalienborg.

In celebration of parliamentary and state council approval of their marriage, Margrethe and Henri appeared on the balcony at Amalienborg with both sets of parents. A crowd of 5,000 happy Danes had gathered to cheer for the cou-ple. Margrethe told the crowd that she and Henri “shall never forget this day,” while Henri expressed his appreciation in Danish with the words, “Thank you a thousand times.”

After the balcony appearance, Frederik drove his daughter and her fiancé around Copenhagen in an open car to wave at the spectators. The trip ended at Fredensborg Palace, where lunch and a press conference were held. During the press conference, Henri repeated his thanks to the Danish people, remarking that he planned to become one “hundred percent Dane” following his marriage. A banquet for the families and government officials was held that evening, along with a private orchestra performance. King Frederik VIll, an able conductor, conducted the performance, which was later broadcast on Danish radio.

Featuring two huge square-cut diamonds in the toi et moi style, one stone representing the bride and the other representing the groom, made by Van Cleef & Arpels, Count Henri presented Princess Margrethe with a spectacular Engagement Rings.

Princess Margrethe of Denmark met French diplomat Count Henri de Laborde de Monpezat at a dinner party at the French Embassy in London in 1965, while the Princess was studying at the London School of Economics and Political Science.