COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II, who stunned the country when she abdicated earlier this year, has been admitted to a hospital after falling in her home, Danish media reported Thursday. She was reportedly not seriously hurt.
The 84-year-old queen was admitted late Wednesday to the Danish capital’s university hospital for observation after a fall at Fredensborg Castle, north of Copenhagen, the royal house told Danish media.
“According to the circumstances, the queen is doing well, but was admitted for observation for the time being,” the head of communications, Lene Balleby, was quoted as saying. The royal household had no further comments.
King Frederik X, her son, told reporters he had spoken to her and that “she is in good hands."
“We take it day by day. The doctors are the ones who decide,” Frederik said as he arrived at the Danish capital's City Hall to attend celebrations marking the 100 anniversary of the Copenhagen Royal Chapel Choir.
Margrethe was scheduled to participate in an event Friday, marking the 75th anniversary of the Department of Archeology at Aarhus University, but her participation has now been canceled. Margrethe had studied prehistoric archaeology at Copenhagen University, and earlier said that if she hadn’t been the monarch of Denmark, she would have become an archaeologist.
In January, Queen Margrethe became Denmark’s first monarch to abdicate in nearly 900 years when handing the throne over to her son.
She always maintained during her 52-year reign that she wouldn’t quit, but back surgery and several ailments left her unable to undertake as much as she could in the past. “Time takes its toll,” she said, when announcing her plans to abdicate in a New Year’s address that stunned the kingdom.
Denmark's Queen Margrethe attends the Rungstedlund Prize 2024 at the Karen Blixen Museum in Rungsted, Denmark, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. (Ida Marie Odgaard/Ritzau Scanpix via AP)
Denmark's Queen Margrethe attends the Rungstedlund Prize 2024 at the Karen Blixen Museum in Rungsted, Denmark, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. (Ida Marie Odgaard/Ritzau Scanpix via AP)
AVONDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Reigning NASCAR champion Ryan Blaney paced the first practice session at Phoenix Raceway, where he is among four drivers who will race for the title Sunday.
Blaney in a Ford for Team Penske topped the leaderboard in Friday's 50-minute practice session. He is trying to become the first driver to win back-to-back titles since Jimmie Johnson won five consecutive championships from 2006 through 2010.
A victory by Blaney or teammate Joey Logano would give team owner Roger Penske three consecutive Cup titles. Logano, who was ninth in Friday practice, won the title in 2022. Penske is coming off sports car championships in both IMSA and the World Endurance Championship, which he won last weekend in Bahrain.
Martin Truex Jr., who was eliminated from the playoffs in the first round and is retiring from full-time competition after Sunday's race, was second-fastest in a Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing.
Kyle Larson, winner of a Cup Series-high six races this season, was third-fastest in a Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports. He was eliminated from the championship race last week in the final playoff qualifier.
William Byron, the Daytona 500 winner and one of the title contenders, was fourth in a Hendrick Chevy. Byron made the championship four on points after Christopher Bell's wall-riding move at Martinsville Speedway last Sunday was disallowed.
Tyler Reddick, the fourth and final driver in the championship race, was slowest of the contenders in 21st in a Toyota for 23XI Racing. Reddick is the only driver making his first appearance in the winner-take-all finale. He drives for Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, two owners who are suing NASCAR over the charter agreement they and Front Row Motorsports refused to sign in September.
Logano is seeking a third Cup title and Byron is trying to become a first-time Cup Series champion.
AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
Defending NASCAR champion Ryan Blaney paces 1st practice of title-deciding weekend at Phoenix
Ryan Blaney, front left, poses with the trophy in Victory Lane after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Va., Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Defending NASCAR champion Ryan Blaney paces 1st practice of title-deciding weekend at Phoenix