Reigning monarch of Denmark, since 1972.
Born 1940, the daughter of King Frederik IX of Denmark.
Married to Henri de Laborde de Monpezat (known to Danes as Prince "Henrik"). Two sons, Crown Prince Frederik and Prince Joachim.
As princess, Margrethe was not originally the heir to the throne, because Denmark (prior to 1953) maintained royal succession in the male line. Since her father's brother Knud, (heir because his brother had no male children), was clearly unsuited for the kingship, the Constitution of Denmark was amended, in 1953, to allow female children to succeed, making Margrethe the heir. When her father died in 1972, a then-young Princess Margrethe was proclaimed Queen of Denmark - the first woman to rule Denmark since her namesake in the middle ages.
Queen Margrethe II is well known in Denmark as a fairly gifted amateur artist, dabbling in drawing, embroidery, stage design. Under the pseudonym Ingahild Grathmer, she corresponded with J.R.R. Tolkien, and she has provided illustrations for a Danish edition of "The Lord of the Rings". | 
