Denmark's Queen Margrethe leaves hospital

Denmark's former sovereign Queen Margrethe has left hospital after four days of treatment for a haematoma and dehydration, the royal court said on Thursday, the latest in a series of bouts of poor health.

"Her Majesty Queen Margrethe was discharged from Rigshospitalet late this morning and is now back at Fredensborg Palace," the Royal House of Denmark said in a statement.

The 86-year-old queen was being treated for a haematoma in her hip and dehydration, the third time she had been hospitalised this year.

The royal house said she was "in good condition" but had to take things easy for a while.

The former queen, a heavy smoker for much of her life, remains popular among Danes for having subtly modernised the monarchy but has faced multiple health problems in recent years.

She had long maintained that she would never abdicate but a major back operation in 2023 led her to change her mind.

After a 52-year reign she passed the throne to her eldest son, Frederik, in January 2024.