Being the matriarch of a royal family is usually serious business, but Queen Margrethe II of Denmark was tickled pink as she celebrated her 72nd birthday surrounded by her rapidly growing family. It may have been the proud-as-punch granny’s special day, but she was happy to let the youngest members of her royal brood take centre stage on the balcony of Denmark’s Amalienborg Palace. Margrethe’s gorgeous grandchildren are the apple of her eye – and why wouldn’t they be? While adorable one-year-old twins Josephine and Vincent were held by the Queen’s son, Crown Prince Frederik, and daughter-in-law, Crown Princess Mary, older siblings Christian, 6, and Isabella, 5, waved like seasoned royals to the excited crowds below.

Read more and see more pictures in this week's Woman's Day on sale Friday April 20, 2012.