Only the candles on Margrethe II’s birthday cake were to burn on Tuesday April 16… The queen who abdicated last January celebrated her 84th birthday with family and surrounded by friends at Fredensborg Castle. But his day of festivities was overshadowed by a tragedy: the old Copenhagen Stock Exchange, a historic building dating from the 17th century which today houses the Chamber of Commerce, was ravaged by fire. The fire started under the roof of the building, which was being renovated, a stone’s throw from Parliament and the seat of government. As reported The world“the emblematic spire of the building, 54 meters high, collapsed in the flames early in the morning as the Danes looked on, stunned”. A sad scenario reminiscent of the fire suffered by Notre-Dame de Paris five years ago almost to the day… Faced with such damage, Frederik X and Mary of Denmark published a poignant press release to express their sorrow.
“This morning we woke up to a sad sight: the smoke on the roofs of Copenhagen which bore witness to the devastating fire at the Stock Exchange. An important part of our architectural cultural heritage was and continues to be engulfed in flames “, wrote the royal couple early in the afternoon, as the fire took on impressive proportions. The eldest son of Margrethe II and his wife recalled that this building built by King Christian IV more than 400 years ago is an emblem of Copenhagen, nicknamed “the city of towers”. “The Queen and I would like to thank all those who since this morning have ensured that no one was hurt and who have fought to save everything that can be saved from the building and its treasures”, concluded Christian’s parents, Isabella, Vincent and Josephine. Late in the afternoon, the director of the emergency services, Jakob Vedsted Andersen, reported to AFP that the fire is now “under control”.
King Frederik of Denmark releases a statement following the devastating fire at Copenhagen’s historic Stock Exchange (Borden) this morning.
The fire happened during renovation work to the building and has collapsed the famous Dragon Spire. pic.twitter.com/IeP9B2jdjm
— Gert’s Royals (@Gertsroyals) April 16, 2024
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Margrethe II displays an appropriate smile despite the fire
In the face of tragedy, the royal family tried to hold their heads high, if only to honor the emeritus monarch on this special day. Margrethe II’s communications teams posted several photos of her on her Instagram account, in which we can see the former queen posing in an elegant pink dress at the window of Fredensborg Castle. In a second photo, Internet users were able to admire the former sovereign strolling through her palace with her cane and her dachshund. Here is specified that the mother of Frederik and Joachim was seen in the company of her eldest son, her daughter-in-law and her sister, Princess Benedikte, the time to greet the photographers.
Photo credits: STELLA PICTURES / BESTIMAGE