Virtual celebrations marked 81st birthday of ‘coolest Queen’
Well-known Danish architect Jan Gehl, considered as the ‘Grand old man of urban planning for people’ also recently shared his expertise to Filipino students of the University of Santo Tomas last February
Queen Daisy is a prominent icon who binds the 75-year relationship of the Philippines and Denmark. She may have assumed the throne when the two countries already have solid 26 years of diplomatic ties, but her warm welcome to the Filipino envoys through the years bolstered the relationship more.
Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II of Denmark celebrated her 81st birthday last 16 April with virtual festivities participated in by Danish citizens around the world. Socially-distanced toasts and short programs kicked off at dkuk.org to show appreciation to the “coolest Queen in the world” more known as Queen Daisy.
The purely digital celebrations were slightly reduced versions of the pre-pandemic ones usually conducted for a week, but Danes unfalteringly appreciated Queen Daisy by singing birthday songs on their respective balconies.
Apart from the toned-down birthday celebration, this second birthday, falling during a pandemic, of Queen Daisy also hit differently because of her grief toward the passing of her dear cousin, Britain’s Prince Philip.
To honor Prince Philip’s death, Queen Daisy decreed that the royal flag will be flown half-mast from Amalienborg Castle in Copenhagen on 17 April.
Nonetheless, her ever-jubilant persona remains inspiring not only to Danes but to Filipinos who appreciate her simplicity.
Phl-Denmark sustainability relations
Queen Daisy is a prominent icon who binds the 75-year relationship of the Philippines and Denmark. She may have assumed the throne when the two countries already had a solid 26 years of diplomatic ties, but her warm welcome to the Filipino envoys through the years bolstered the relationship more.
Sustainability is the core of the Philippine-Denmark ties. Currently, the two countries are working together to pursue energy efficiency, sustainable urban environments and transportation development.
Cebu Cordova Link Expressway that is expected to ease traffic congestion in Metro Cebu was born out of Danish innovation of engineering company COWI.
Well-known Danish architect Jan Gehl, considered the “Grand old man of urban planning for people” also recently shared his expertise to Filipino students of the University of Santo Tomas last February.
Denmark’s Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Grete Sillasen is hopeful that Gehl’s architectural methodology will be embodied by the soon-to-be Filipino architects to make Philippine cities more livable for the citizens.
And last 15 April, Denmark and Philippine energy stakeholders huddled to discuss the next steps toward energy efficiency in both countries.
The ever-growing connection between the Philippines and Denmark inspires hope that amid all crisis and divsions, good partnerships still thrive.