Now 87 and 85, respectively, both Beatrix and Margrethe have been succeeded by their eldest sons, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and King Frederik X of Denmark. Beatrix’s husband, Prince Claus, suffered ill health and did not attend (he died just four months later). Margrethe’s husband, Prince Henrik, is stood on the far left of the row behind. He later died in 2018. Both Beatrix and Margrethe remain active in public life and attended Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral 20 years after this photo was taken.
Queen Elizabeth II was joined by Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, who has since abdicated
Mark Cuthbert/Getty Images
The central settee is flanked by two more Queens on matching armchairs: Queen Silvia of Sweden on the left, and Queen Sofia of Spain on the right. Silvia is the wife of King Carl XVI Gustaf, the longest reigning monarch in Swedish history, who is photographed standing next to Prince Philip in the centre of the row behind. Sofia, who this week lost her sister, Princess Irene of Greece, is the wife of Spain’s controversial King Juan Carlos I, who abdicated in 2014 in favour of his son, the current King Felipe VI of Spain. King Carl XVI Gustaf remains on the throne, although he enjoys the full support of his daughter and heir, Crown Princess Victoria.