Margrethe II of Denmark Quotations

I can, of course, think what I want, just like everyone else. I simply have to refrain from saying everything I think.

We are being challenged by Islam these years. There are some things for which one should display no tolerance. And when we are tolerant, we must know whether it is because of convenience or conviction.

One shouldn't write one's own epitaph. I hope people will remember me as one who did her best - and who wasn't an anachronism.

I will remain on the throne until I fall off.

I have always had a dread of becoming a passenger in life.

There is something endearing about people who give themselves up completely to their faith. But there is likewise something frightening about such a totality, which also is a feature of Islam.

I hope I will be able to paint as long as I live,

Painting is not what my life is about, but it is very important to me, and I am very lucky to be able to give some time to it,

There are, of course, always painters whom I admire and find fascinating. I've often thought, 'Goodness, if I could paint like the Danish Golden Age painters, the early 19th century painters, the way they could paint a landscape - absolutely beautiful.'

The time that I devote to painting is not a lot of time, but I do it 100 percent while I am working, and then there's nothing else that counts.

We, the monarchs, are undoubtedly constants in a constantly changing world. Because we have always been there, but also because we do not get involved in everyday politics. We are aware of the political changes in our societies, but we don't comment on them. This is where we assume a unique position.

I am not a career woman, and I would never have become one in normal life, because I am not ambitious enough for that.

My father had no sons, so I became queen. The only thing I had to do was perform the role.

There are indeed ways for a queen to say what she thinks.

None of my counterparts in Europe interferes in politics.

I represent all people who are citizens of the Danish nation.

In Denmark, the king's faith became the religion of the country, and we are still happy with that today.

The Reformation was immensely important for all of Danish culture.

Luther exerted a strong influence on Denmark. Suddenly Danish theologians were preaching in Danish and translating the Bible into Danish.

Many young Danish theologians went to Wittenberg starting in 1517, listened to Luther's theses and, in 1536, brought the Reformation to our country. This is why the Danes, unlike the people of many countries in Eastern and Central Europe, became Lutherans and not Calvinists.

I believe that it is indeed easier for a woman who follows a male monarch, as it was in my case. There was no role model I had to measure up to. It was clear from the beginning that many things would be different, and that helped. And I hope that the same thing will help my son, Crown Prince Frederik, when he becomes king one day.

I would not say Denmark is a multicultural country, but more people live here now who have different roots, backgrounds and religions, more than 30 years ago. This also applies to religions.

Under the constitution, as the Danish queen I am bound to the Lutheran faith, but that does not exclude people of other faiths.

I believe that the fact that I am religious brings me closer to anyone with a different faith.

I believe that all the euphoria about Europe has led many of us to forget that Europe is a conglomerate of different entities and countries. But if you don't love your own entity, if you don't know your roots and can no longer relate to them, you will also have problems with the rest of Europe.

A tree without roots will fall over, whereas a tree with roots eventually becomes part of a forest.

I believe that many people have forgotten what their roots are. This is one of the advantages of countries with a monarchy. The monarch offers identity across generations, and is a part of these roots and this native country.

I hope people will remember me as one who did her best - and who wasn't an anachronism.

And when we are tolerant, we must know whether it is because of convenience or conviction,

Luther and the Reformation were of fundamental importance to Denmark. We Danes are still Lutherans today. We spoke about him a lot in school, and we feel very close to him.

I smoke wherever there's an ashtray.