Queen Margrethe II (82) underwent extensive back surgery this Wednesday (February 22) at Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen. “The operation went according to plan, the condition of the queen is good and stable given the circumstances,” said a statement from the royal family, which was published on Instagram, among other things. In the coming period, the queen will continue to be treated as an inpatient in the said hospital, after which “a longer recovery period and rehabilitation of the back” will follow.

According to the announcement, Crown Prince Frederik (54) took over his mother’s official business on Tuesday. From February 25, the crown prince couple will travel to India for an official visit. Princess Benedikte of Denmark (78), the Queen’s sister, will therefore take on this task from February 25.

At the beginning of February, an official statement said that Queen Margrethe II had been suffering from back problems for “some time”. The situation has deteriorated recently, it said. After consulting specialists, the monarch then decided to “undergo an extensive operation”. Official dates are postponed or attended by other members of the royal family.