5 royals who are friends with other royals, from Prince Harry and former Princess Tessy of Luxembourg, to Queen Elizabeth and Queen Margrethe of Denmark

Jan 24 , 2022

Discover some of the friendships forged between royals from different countries. Photos: Getty, AP

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth and Queen Margrethe of Denmark aren’t only bound by the fact that they’re the world’s only reigning female monarchs, but they’re also third cousins

Both Queen Maxima of the Netherlands and Belgium’s Queen Mathilde married into royalty, and are so close that Queen Mathilde is godmother to her daughter Alexia

Whether they were born into royalty or married into the family, princes and princesses, kings and queens the world over have often bonded over their shared experiences.

Here are a few perhaps surprising royal family friendships that have transcended borders.

1. Queen Mathilde of Belgium and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands

Queen Maxima of The Netherlands and Queen Mathilde of Belgium open a sculpture exhibition together in 2015, in the Netherlands. Photo: Getty Images

Both Mathilde and Máxima wed their country’s kings to become royals, and although they have occasionally been required to carry out official duties together, they’ve also made personal visits to one another too.

It helps that their husbands, King Philippe of Belgium and King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, are also friends. In fact, Maxima visited Mathilde in hospital right after she gave birth to Princess Elisabeth, and Mathilde is the godmother of Máxima’s daughter Princess Alexia (she’s also godparent to Princess Isabella of Denmark).

2. Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark

Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark and Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden enjoy the festivities after Princess Madeleine of Sweden’s wedding in 2013. Photo: AP

The Scandinavian royal families are known to be close with each other. The Swedish crown princess and her husband Prince Daniel attended the 2004 wedding of Danish Crown Prince Frederik and Mary, Crown Princess of Denmark, and vice versa.

“Frederik always comes into a room with sparkling eyes and sees people, both privately and officially,” Victoria is quoted as saying in a biography about the prince. “It is as if he meets one with his eyes and is very present, genuinely engaged and curious. There are people who ask questions, but never take time to wait for the answer. Frederik always waits for the answer.”

3. Britain’s Queen Elizabeth and Queen Margrethe of Denmark

Pre-pandemic, Queen Margrethe of Denmark reportedly visited Britain’s Queen Elizabeth as often as her schedule would allow. Photo: AP