Reina Margarita: "In Denmark, we escape from this slippery swamp of corruption"

In one of her official residences, the dazzling Fredensborg Palace, on the outskirts of Copenhagen, Queen Margaret of Denmark received a group of Argentine media journalists, among which The chronicler, He also talked about his first visit to our country, scheduled for March 18-20, which will include a meeting with President Mauricio Macri. Aged 78, accompanied by her dog sausage, Tilia, she reflects on what it means to lead a monarchy since 1972.

– What expectations do you have of your visit to Argentina?

– I am looking forward to returning to Argentina, after many years 53, since I was in 1966 with my father, while I was still princess.

It is very interesting to see how another country has evolved over that period, which is a lot. Two generations have pbaded.

– What do you remember at this time?

– I remember very well when I was there, it was a wonderful experience. It was almost at the same time of the year, around March 20th. It's interesting. I will be able to compare. Of course, I was in Buenos Aires and I visited the three smaller towns where many Danes settled in the early twentieth century, then: Tres Arroyos, Necochea and Tandil. Now, I'm just going to be in Tandil. I will go with my eldest son, Prince Federico, who visited Argentina a few years ago, I do not remember why.

– And which country, what do you expect from the trip?

– From Denmark, we want to create better connections and trade. We have a very commercial mentality in Denmark. It's something we always try to promote when we go there.

– What traditions would you like to know about Argentina?

– One of the things that fascinates me is the tango, it's a wonderful thing. But there are many interesting things in your country.

– What features do you find common between the two countries?

– A lot, very special, because there are many years in Argentina, I found many links with Denmark. I met people who had gone to Argentina, some in the twentieth century, others in the late nineteenth century, grandparents or great-grandparents of many others who had then arrived, they were settled in the country and kept in the habit of speaking in Danish. . So there is a very strong link.

– What is the Danish secret? How do they manage to be such a fair society?

– One of the secrets of Denmark is that it is a small, sparsely populated country (5.5 million inhabitants or a little more), hardly bigger than Holland, but where there are many more people. Which means that people are not far from each other, either geographically or mentally. I think that's one of the reasons it works well. It is therefore very difficult to reproduce elsewhere.

– Denmark is one of the countries with the highest rate of corruption. What does it represent?

– I think that in Denmark we have somehow escaped this marasmus of corruption.

– Where does Danish citizens' commitment to protecting the environment come from?

– The Danes are very aware of the environment: we are an agrarian country. We have always been. Our industry is based on crops, crops and agriculture. We take care of the environment, which is not easy. But there are a lot of worried people and a lot of people doing something, which is the most important thing.

– What do you think of women's claims in the world about gender equality? How is this debate experienced in Danish society?

– In Denmark, equality between women and men is great, it is like a natural development. There is equal opportunity for men and women in their careers, equal opportunities in their careers. This question seems to be going very well here.

– How's it going, being a woman, being the head of a country?

– I have never been anything else. It works very well I see it also in Great Britain. It's a good challenge, a challenge can be difficult or a beautiful challenge. It's a beautiful challenge.

– How important is your husband, Enrique (who died in 2018) in his life?

– I went to Argentina while I was still not married to him, and I realize now that I was missing at that time. We were together at just 58 years old. It's nice to have spent this time. We had two children who, in turn, had a lot of children. I have eight grandchildren. My husband came from France and is the French influence in my life. We travel several times there. We did it in the summer, we drank wine. My husband has a place of choice in my life. and of course, in my family.

– What makes you travel with your child to Argentina?

– It's very nice to travel with my son. I had used to travel with my husband before, so it's very nice to travel now with my son. It is wonderful that there are two pairs of feet and two pairs of eyes in one traveled. It's really fantastic, especially for me to be accompanied by someone a generation younger than me.

– How's a day in your life?

– Early in the morning, my team of counselors comes to discuss several problems, and me too. Usually lunch at the palace; where I organize official meetings in the morning or in the afternoon. I also travel around the country. Since the death of my husband, I spend a lot of time alone, but on weekends, I'm with my daughter and my grandchildren, which brings great happiness.

– Do you usually give press conferences like this?

– Yes, it's usual to talk to the press. It's important to do it. Not all the time but of course to speak. Maybe it was not important for my parents, it was unusual. But in my generation that's the case.

– What should Denmark learn from Argentina and vice versa?

– In our case, it is important for Denmark to realize that other countries are different. Danes tend to think that all countries are the same. Of course not, Argentina is a huge country, it's a giant compared to us. With a lot of pampas and big mountains. Denmark is a small country with small mountains.

– What do you consider as the inheritance left by the monarchy in Denmark?

– This is part of a very long story, of course. Denmark was a monarchy in the dark times that touched us closely. The monarchy has changed a lot over the years. In the Middle Ages, kings had to be warriors. In Denmark, Sweden and Norway, the story was not written yet. The monarchy in Denmark is very stable, it is important.