article: She might be celebrating her 75th birthday, but an overjoyed Queen Margrethe of Denmark looked far younger as she waved to excited crowds from the balcony at the Amalienborg Palace. The Danish monarch was joined on the balcony by her sons, Crown Prince Frederik, 46, and Prince Joachim, 45, who were with her again for a procession down Copenhagen shopping street Strøget to the Københavns Rådhus [city hall] for a slap-up lunch. And the two were by Margrethe's side once again in the evening when the Danish royals welcomed royals from all corners of Europe to Fredensborg Castle for a gala banquet followed by a magnificent fireworks display. Early arrivals: Crown Princess Mary and Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark were among the first guests to arrive for the gala dinner . Cut-out: Crown Princess Mary's bell-sleeved dress featured a rather risque cutaway bar, showing off her  ponytail . Smart: Denmark's Princess Marie and Prince Joachim were next to arrive with Prince Joachim wearing a striking red velvet tuxedo . Smart: Denmark's Princess Marie chose a floor-length ivory dress covered in delicate beads . Joining them was Frederik's Australian-born wife Mary, 43, who opted for a striking silver gown featuring a neat high neckline and dramatic blouson sleeves. Margrethe's other daughter-in-law, the French-born Princess Marie, 39, was also at Fredensborg and looked wonderful in a floor-length cream beaded gown. Other members of the Danish Royal Family to attend the event included Margrethe's sister Princess Benedikte, 70, who chose a summery floral dress with a square neck and sheer train. As with Wednesday night's lavish dinner at Christiansborg Palace, Danish prime minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt  was on the guest list and cut a dramatic figure in a heavily sequinned black and nude dress. But while socialist politician Ms Thorning-Schmidt, who is married to former Labour MP Neil Kinnock's son Stephen, caught the eye, it was the many royals in attendance who took centre stage. Looking good: Queen Margrethe (right) and Princess Benedikte chose complementary gowns in striking lilac and pink . Gorgeous: Danish prime minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt cut a glamorous figure in her sequinned black gown . Making an entrance: King Constantine II and Queen Anne-Marie of Greece (left) and Princess Elisabeth of Denmark (right) The Danish Queen Margreth made a striking entrance in her wide skirted dress and chic up 'do . The monarch appeared to be full of fun again as she took her seat in the middle of the top table . Crown Princess Victoria from Sweden, also in a floor-length, beaded gown, looks for her place at the dinner party . Spectacular: Fireworks explode over Fredensborg Castle at the end of the gala dinner . Magnificent: The display had been laid on to mark Margrethe's 75th birthday . Stunning: The 262-year-old castle, which was built by Frederik IV, was lit up by the flashes from the exploding fireworks . From Sweden came the country's King Carl XVI Gustaf and his glamorous Brazilian-born wife Silvia, who arrived with Crown Princess Victoria, 37, who looked ravishing in a spectacular sequinned dress. The Norwegian Royal Family was represented by dashing Crown Prince Haakon, 41, who had arrived in the Danish capital earlier that day to mark Queen Margrethe's birthday alongside his wife, the ice blonde Crown Princess Mette-Marit. Margrethe's birthday celebrations had kicked off with a touching family wake-up call, which saw Margrethe's two sons and their families join crowned heads from the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg to sing traditional Danish folk songs beneath her window. Next on her agenda was an appearance on the balcony of the Amalienborg Palace alongside her son and heir, Crown Prince Frederik, 46, his wife Crown Princess Mary, 43, and their four children. Waiting below was an enormous flag-waving crowd who went into raptures as the royals appeared, watched by members of other European royal dynasties, among them Sweden's and Norway's. Also on the balcony was Margrethe's second son, Joachim, 45, his French wife Princess Marie, his children from his first marriage, Nikolai, 15, and Felix, 12, and his youngest two, Henrik, five, Athena, three. One royal who couldn't be present on the balcony or for the gala dinner at Fredensborg that followed was Margrethe's 80-year-old husband Prince Henrik who, according to palace officials, is suffering from flu. The French-born royal also missed the carriage procession down Copenhagen shopping street Strøget to the Rådhus and was replaced for the day by his son Frederik. Royal wave: Queen Margrethe is flanked by her sons Frederik and Joachim as she waves to the crowds . Celebrating: Denmark's Crown Prince Frederik, his wife Mary and their nine-year-old son Prince Christian on the balcony . Family affair: Frederik and Mary were joined by their four children, including twins Vincent and Josephine . Pay attention! Four-year-old Vincent appeared more interested in scaling the balcony rails . What's going on? Prince Christian grimaces at something in the crowd during his grandmother's birthday celebrations . Despite being without Prince Henrik, the appearance proved a cheerful affair - largely thanks to the antics of four-year-old Prince Vincent, who did his best to scale the railings of the balcony. Held back by his father, the youngster smiled mischievously and was quickly copied by his twin sister Josephine - much to their mother Princess Mary's amusement. Australian-born Mary, who was elegant in a navy ensemble topped with a grey cocktail hat, certainly appeared to be enjoying the moment, smiling broadly as she stood with her four children. Frederik, meanwhile, was content to wave to the crowd and at one point leaned down to whisper in the ear of his older son, nine-year-old Prince Christian. Girls together: Prince Joachim holds his three-year-old daughter Athena, while Crown Princess Mary clutches four-year-old Josephine . Overjoyed: Queen Margrethe, who was without her husband Prince Henrik, appeared overcome . Saying thank you: Margrethe, who was resplendent in a turquoise ensemble, waved to the crowds . Saying hello: The Danish royals toured Copenhagen following the balcony appearance . Enjoying the day: Denmark's Princess Marie, Crown Princess Mary and Queen Margrethe wave to the crowds outside the Amalienborg Palace . Enjoying the ride: Margrethe and Mary sat opposite each other during the procession along Strøget . Pomp: The royals were followed down main shopping street Strøget by a detachment of guards . Birthday wishes: Queen Margrethe enjoyed an official luncheon at the Københavns Rådhus at the end of the procession along Strøget . Joining in: Swedish royals, including Crown Princess Victoria, also appeared on the balcony . Showing their support: Sweden's 65-year-old King Carl XVI Gustaf and his Brazilian-born wife, Queen Silvia . Support: Norway's Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Mette-Marit and King Harald on the balcony . Enjoying the moment: Deposed King Constantine II of Greece, his wife Queen Anne-Marie and Princess Benedickte of Denmark on the balcony . Last night's banquet was the finale in a two-day orgy of celebration that began on Wednesday night with a dinner at Christiansborg Palace that brought together royals from the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and Luxembourg as well as those from Sweden and Norway. Spain's King Felipe and Queen Letizia, the youngest reigning royals in Europe, led the way in, followed by the equally glamorous King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands. Norway's King Harald, who joined the Danish royals on the balcony, was accompanied by his wife Queen Sonia, and his son Crown Prince Haakon and daughter-in-law Mette Marit. Sweden's 65-year-old King Carl XIV Gustaf also brought his heir, in his case Crown Princess Victoria, 38, and her former personal trainer husband, Prince Daniel. Other royals to attend included the elegant Queen Mathilde of the Belgians who shimmered in a stunning purple gown at Wednesday night's event and smiled broadly as she made her way inside on the arm of husband King Philippe. Watch out for the wind! Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit, 41, and Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria, 37, attended the event . Future queen: Crown Princess Victoria chats to her husband and former personal trainer Prince Daniel, 41, during the celebration . Outpouring: Thousands gathered outside the Amalienborg Palace and along Strøget . Overjoyed faces: Flag-waving crowds snapped pics outside the Amalienborg Palace . Crowd control: Thousands of revellers patiently awaited for the royals to come out on the balcony . Denmark's official royal magazine, Billed Bladet, celebrates Margrethe's 75th birthday by featuring the queen on the cover . Joyful: The crowds were particularly delighted when Queen Margrethe appeared on the balcony . Wake up: Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary prepare to wake Queen Margrethe . Friendly: Crown Princess Mary with Queen Maxima (left) and Crown Prince Frederik with nephew Nikolai . Windy: The chilly Danish weather appeared to be taking its toll on Crown Princess Mary's hair . Getting better: Queen Mathilde, who recently injured her knee, showed off a black knee-brace . All smiles: The Belgian royals and Grand Duc Henri of Luxembourg also took part in the wake-up . Excited: Prince Joachim's youngest son Henrik, five, (in blue coat) looked thrilled to be taking part . Delighted: Queen Margrethe looked pleased with her wake-up and smiled broadly at her family . Hello there! She then leaned down to wave at the gathering below . The former ruler of Greece, King Constantine II, 74, also attended, as did his wife Queen Anne-Marie who was ravishing in her emeralds. Iceland, a colony of Denmark for more than 600 years, was also represented, with President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson attending with his Israeli wife, Dorrit Moussaieff. Several speeches were made during the dinner, including a tribute from Crown Prince Frederik which the 46-year-old made in three different languages. Speech! Crown Prince Frederik paid tribute to his mother in three languages last night . Guests: King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians and King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain . Chat: Grand Duc Henri of Luxembourg chats to Crown Princess Mary during the dinner . Celebrating: Joachim and Marie of Denmark and Willem-Alexander and Maxima of the Netherlands . Glamorous gathering: The scene in the banqueting room at the Christiansborg Palace last night .
highlights: Queen Margrethe II of Denmark is celebrating her 75th birthday today .
  Last night she hosted a Gala dinner attended by royals from around Europe .
  Today the delighted monarch appeared on the palace balcony to wave to the crowds after a lunch at City Hall .
  No members of the British royal family were able to attend the glitzy celebration in Copenhagen .
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