Queen Margrethe celebrates 40th year on the throne

Schedule of events for the Queen's ruby anniversary.

Queen Margrethe during her younger years.

Queen Margrethe of Denmark celebrates her 40^th year on the throne this January. The much-beloved monarch ascended to the throne Jan. 14, 1972 on the death of her father, King Frederick IX. The celebration of the queen's 40^thyear is set on a month-festivity, evidenced by the schedule of activities.

TUESDAY, 10 JANUARY 2012

THE FOLKETING

12:15 p.m.

Visit to the Folketing (Danish Parliament), followed by a reception. HM The Queen, HRH The Prince Consort, TRH The Crown Prince Couple and HRH Prince Joachim will participate.

PHOTOS AND PRESS CONFERENCE

4.00 p.m.

Press conference with HM The Queen in the Great Hall, Christian IX’s Palace, Amalienborg.

HM The Queen and HRH The Prince Consort will before the press conference pose for photographs in the Great Hall, Christian IX’s Palace, Amalienborg.

WEDNESDAY, 11 JANUARY 2012

EXHIBITION OPENING AT FREDERIKSBORG

11 a.m.

HM The Queen, HRH The Prince Consort and TRH The Crown Prince Couple

attend the opening of an exhibition at The Museum of National History Frederiksborg Palace. Read more

EXHIBITION OPENING AT AMALIENBORG

3 p.m.

HM The Queen, HRH The Prince Consort, TRH The Crown Prince Couple and HRH Prince Joachim

attend the opening of the exhibition ``Royal Gala´´ at Amalienborg Museum. Read more

SATURDAY, 14 JANUARY 2012

WREATH LAYING CEREMONY

9:50 a.m.

Special train with the Royal Carrriage carrying the royal family arrives at Roskilde Station

10 a.m.

Wreath laying ceremony at King Frederik IX’s and Queen Ingrid’s graves, Roskilde Cathedral

COACH RIDE

12:40 p.m.

Coach ride from Amalienborg through the pedestrian street with escort by the the Royal Danish Hussar Guard Regiment to Copenhagen’s City Hall. The route will be announced alter.

RECEPTION AT COPENHAGEN’S CITY HALL

1 p.m.

Official reception at Copenhagen’s City Hall

Entertainment in the ceremonial hall, HM The Queen and HRH The Prince Consort enter the balcony

GALA PERFORMANCE IN DANMARKS RADIO’S CONCERT HALL

8 p.m.

Gala performance

During the intermission, HM The Queen and HRH The Prince Consort will greet guests

SUNDAY, 15 JANUARY 2012

MINISTERS OF STATE MEETING

10 a.m.

The Queen in Council with ministers of state at Christiansborg Palace, Statsråd meeting room

10:40 a.m.

Presentation of gifts from the Government and the Folketing in Christian IX’s Apartment, Christiansborg Palace

CHANGING OF THE GUARD

12.00 (noon)

Changing of the guard at Amalienborg

The royal family steps out on the balcony of Christian IX’s Palace, Amalienborg

BUFFET LUNCHEON

12.45 p.m.

Buffet luncheon hosted by The Crown Prince Couple for foreign guests and the family in Frederik VIII’s Palace, Amalienborg

CELEBRATORY RELIGIOUS SERVICE

3 p.m.

Celebratory service at Christiansborg Palace Church

GALA BANQUET AT CHRISTIANSBORG

8 p.m.

Gala dinner at Christiansborg Palace for Danish officials, foreign guests and the family

FRIDAY, 27 JANUARY 2012

5 p.m.

Fernisage of the exibition "THE ESSENCE OF COLOUR – THE ART OF QUEEN MARGRETHE II" at Ark