Margrethe succeeded her father upon his death on 14 January 1972. She became the first female monarch of Denmark after Queen Margrethe I, who was the ruler of the Scandinavian kingdoms from 1376 to 1412 during the Kalmar Union. Queen Margrethe II is thus the longest reigning monarch in Danish history from the middle of July. On this occasion, the Danish Royal Court released new photos of Queen Margrethe.