Denmark ‘almost finished’ preparing Queen’s burial place

Denmark’s Queen Margrethe is alive and well, but the burial chapel where she will one day be laid to rest has been under preparation for 15 years.

Published: 10 April 2018 10:25 CEST

Denmark 'almost finished' preparing Queen’s burial place

Part of Roskilde Cathedral closed off for work in March 2018. Photo: Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix

The burial place at Roskilde Cathedral is now almost complete following works last week, according to a report by newspaper BT.

Queen Margrethe and Danish artist and sculptor Bjørn Nørgaard began initial discussions as to the design of the burial chapel in the mid-2000s.

Last week, parts of the glass sarcophagus where the Queen’s coffin will eventually be placed were delivered to the cathedral, where many of Denmark’s monarchs are buried.

Roskilde Cathedral Parish head of administration Lars Bang Pedersen confirmed the news to newspaper BT.

The deliveries included a glass façade weighing several tonnes and a bronze relief that will adorn the top of the sarcophagus, BT reports.

A model of how Queen Margrethe's grave will look. Photo: Nikolai Linares/Ritzau Scanpix

“Everything went smoothly. There was no damage or accidents, so everything is fine. We covered the floors so a fork lift truck could move the glass parts into the church,” Petersen told Ritzau.

“The teamwork on this has really impressed me, there was a lot of expertise involved. It is really impressive that they could handle such heavy things while protecting the church,” he said.

Although the sarcophagus can house two, Queen Margrethe will rest alone after her husband Prince Henrik, who died in February, chose not to be buried at the cathedral.

Prince Henrik was instead cremated, with his ashes to be placed in the gardens of Fredensborg Palace north of Copenhagen and spread at sea.