In 1985, Andy Warhol embarked on his largest portfolio of screen-prints. Titled Reigning Queens, Warhol chose to focus his creative attention on the four female monarchs who were ruling in the world at the time, having assumed their respective thrones through birth right alone rather than marriage. These four figures included Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark and Queen Ntombi Twala of Swaziland. Based on official or media photographs of these monarchs, the screen-print portfolio consists of four color variants of each queen, amounting to sixteen images in total. The screen-prints were created using a photographic silkscreen technique central to Warhol’s practice, employed profusely in both his prints and paintings.
Warhol produced two editions of the Reigning Queens portfolio: forty ‘Standard Edition’ prints and thirty ‘Royal Edition’ prints. Screen-prints from the ‘Royal Edition’ were adorned with ‘diamond dust’ – fine particles of ground up glass that sparkle in the light like diamonds – adding a glamor and extravagance to these images and further emphasizing the regal allure of Warhol’s iconic subjects. The Reigning Queens series brings together many themes central to Warhol’s oeuvre, such as portraiture, celebrity, and consumerism.
Introduction
For his screenprints of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, Warhol selected an image taken to commemorate the monarch’s accession to the throne in 1972. On her accession, which followed the changing of the Danish constitution in 1953 to permit women to take the throne, she became the first female monarch of Denmark since Margrethe I, ruler of the Scandinavian kingdoms in the 14th century. In her 1972 portrait, Queen Margrethe was captured in profile and immediately presented as a regal figure, destined to adorn a coin.
Margrethe II, Queen of Denmark, 1972. Image: INTERFOTO / Alamy Stock Photo
The monarch wore the Pearl Poire Tiara and matching jewels – the same set she donned recently in her official Golden Jubilee portrait taken in 2022. Lastly, the new Queen sported the royal orders, which included a portrait image of her father, King Frederik IX, who she succeeded to the throne. Interestingly, Warhol depicts all other symbols of Margrethe’s heritage, but barely details the miniature portrait of her father, pointedly distancing this screen-print from the patriarchal structures which made the four monarchs he chose to depict in the Reigning Queens portfolio such a rarity. Instead, Warhol solely focuses on Queen Margrethe’s likeness and celebrates her almost unique positioning as a reigning woman through his depiction of her strong profile conveyed in overtly feminine pastel colors.
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, 1985
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark
from Reigning Queens
Portfolio of 4 screenprints in colors
Medium: Screenprint in colors on Lenox Museum Board
Year: 1985
Sheet: 39 3/8 x 31 1/2 inches (100×80 cm)
Edition: 40
Artist’s Proofs: 10 AP
Printer’s Proofs: 5 PP
Hors Commerce: 3 HC
Trial Proofs: 30 TP containing only one image of each Queen
Printer: Rupert Jasen Smith New-York
Publisher: George C.P. Mulder, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Literature: Feldman & Shellmann II.342-345
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark
from Reigning Queens (Royal Edition)
Portfolio of 4 screenprints in colors
Medium: Screenprint in colors on Lenox Museum Board with diamond dust
Edition: 30
Artist’s Proofs: 5 AP
Printer’s Proofs: 2 PP
Hors Commerce: 2 HC
Literature: Feldman & Shellmann II.342A-345A
1. Queen Margrethe II of Denmark (F&S II.342)
2. Queen Margrethe II of Denmark (F&S II.343)
3. Queen Margrethe II of Denmark (F&S II.344)
4. Queen Margrethe II of Denmark (F&S II.345)
2025 Auction Results
Queen Margrethe II (Royal Edition) (F&S II.342A-345A), 1985
Seoul Auction: 28 October 2025
Estimated: KRW 240,000,000 – 500,000,000
KRW 283,200,000 / USD 197,675
ROYAL EDITION
COMPLETE SET
ANDY WARHOL | 1928 ~ 1987 | American
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark (F. & S. II.342A-345A) (4 works), 1985
from Reigning Queens (Royal Edition)
Screenprints on Lenox Museum Board with diamond dust
R A.P 4/5 (aside from the edition of 30)
Each signed and numbered on the recto
Published by George C.P. Mulder, Amsterdam
Queen Margrethe II (F&S II.343), 1985
Phillips London: 18 September 2025
Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 30,000
GBP 36,120 / USD 49,125
Queen Margrethe II (TP), 1985
Ketterer Kunst: 7 June 2025
Estimated: EUR 30,000
EUR 50,800 / USD 57,405
ANDY WARHOL
Queen Margrethe II (Cf. Feldman, Schellmann, Defendi, no. IIB. 342-345), 1985
From the “Reigning Queens” portfolio
Silkscreen in colors on Lenox Museum card
Signed and numbered
One of 30 Trial Proofs
With the copyright stamp “Andy Warhol 1985” on the reverse
Queen Margrethe II (F&S II.343), 1985
Forum Auctions: 19 March 2025
Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 40,000
GBP 32,000 (Hammer)
GBP 41,985 / USD 54,405
ANDY WARHOL (1928-1987)
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark (Feldman & Schellmann II.343), 1985
Screenprint in colors on Lenox Museum Board
Signed in pencil, numbered from the edition of 40
With the printer’s blindstamp, as included in Reigning Queens
2024 Auction Results
Queen Margrethe II (F&S II.343), 1985
Kornfeld Bern: 12 September 2024
Estimated: CHF 35,000
CHF 45,000 / USD 52,650
ANDY WARHOL
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark (F&S II.343), 1985
Color screenprint on Lenox Museum Board
Signed “Andy Warhol” in pencil by the artist lower left, numbered “7/40” to the left
With the printer’s blindstamp lower right.
With the stamp “© ANDY WARHOL 1985” on the reverse
Queen Margrethe II (F&S II.343), 1985
Bruun Rasmussen: 5 March 2024
Estimated: DKK 300,000 – 400,000
DKK 396,000 / USD 57,642
ANDY WARHOL (b. Pennsylvania 1928, d. New York 1987)
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark (Feldman & Schellmann II.343), 1985
Screenprint in colors
Signed Andy Warhol, 12/40
Queen Margrethe II (F&S II.342), 1985
Kornfeld Bern: 12 September 2024
Estimated: CHF 15,000
CHF 23,750 / USD 27,788
ANDY WARHOL
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark (F&S II.342), 1985
Color screenprint on Lenox Museum Board
Signed “Andy Warhol” in pencil by the artist lower left, numbered “7/40” to the left
With the printer’s blindstamp lower right.
With the stamp “© ANDY WARHOL 1985” on the reverse
Queen Margrethe II (F&S II.345), 1985
Kornfeld Bern: 12 September 2024
Estimated: CHF 35,000
CHF 35,000 / USD 40,950
ANDY WARHOL
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark (F&S II.345), 1985
Color screenprint on Lenox Museum Board
Signed “Andy Warhol” in pencil by the artist lower left, numbered “7/40” to the left
With the printer’s blindstamp lower right.
With the stamp “© ANDY WARHOL 1985” on the reverse
2023 Auction Results
Queen Margrethe II (Royal Edition) (F&S II.342A), 1985
Phillips London: 19 January 2023
Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 50,000
GBP 90,720 / USD 111,437
ROYAL EDITION
ANDY WARHOL
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, from Reigning Queens (Royal Edition) (F. & S. 342A), 1985
Screen-print in colors with diamond dust on Lenox Museum Board
Signed and numbered ‘R 7/30’ in pencil (there were also 5 artist’s proofs)
With the artist’s copyright ink stamp on the reverse
Queen Margrethe II (Royal Edition) (F&S II.344A), 1985
K Auction Seoul: 22 February 2023
Estimated: KRW 35,000,000 – 100,000,000
KRW 82,544,045 / USD 63,195
ROYAL EDITION
ANDY WARHOL
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, from Reigning Queens (Royal Edition), 1985
Screen-print in colors with diamond dust on Lenox Museum Board
Signed and numbered on the lower left from the edition of 30
Queen Margrethe II (F&S II.345), 1985
SBI Art Auction: 28 October 2023
Estimated: JPY 2,000,000 – 3,000,000
JPY 7,245,000 / USD 49,526
ANDY WARHOL
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, from Reigning Queens (F. & S. II.345), 1985
Screen-print in colors with diamond dust on Lenox Museum Board
signed and numbered on the lower left from the edition of 40
Queen Margrethe II (Royal Edition) (F&S II.345A), 1985
K Auction Seoul: 31 May 2023
Estimated: KRW 58,000,000 – 100,000,000
KRW 96,600,000 / USD 73,223
ROYAL EDITION
ANDY WARHOL
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, from Reigning Queens (Royal Edition), 1985
Screen-print in colors with diamond dust on Lenox Museum Board
Signed and numbered on the lower left from the edition of 30
Queen Margrethe II (F&S II.342/342A)
Kornfeld Bern: 12 September 2024
Estimated: CHF 15,000
CHF 23,750 / USD 27,788
ANDY WARHOL
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark (F&S II.342), 1985
Color screenprint on Lenox Museum Board
Signed “Andy Warhol” in pencil by the artist lower left, numbered “7/40” to the left
With the printer’s blindstamp lower right.
With the stamp “© ANDY WARHOL 1985” on the reverse
Phillips London: 19 January 2023
Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 50,000
GBP 90,720 / USD 111,437
ROYAL EDITION
ANDY WARHOL
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, from Reigning Queens (Royal Edition) (F. & S. 342A), 1985
Screen-print in colors with diamond dust on Lenox Museum Board
Signed and numbered ‘R 7/30’ in pencil (there were also 5 artist’s proofs)
With the artist’s copyright ink stamp on the reverse
Queen Margrethe II (F&S II.343/343A)
Phillips London: 18 September 2025
Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 30,000
GBP 36,120 / USD 49,125
Forum Auctions: 19 March 2025
Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 40,000
GBP 32,000 (Hammer)
GBP 41,985 / USD 54,405
ANDY WARHOL (1928-1987)
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark (Feldman & Schellmann II.343), 1985
Screenprint in colors on Lenox Museum Board
Signed in pencil, numbered from the edition of 40
With the printer’s blindstamp, as included in Reigning Queens
Kornfeld Bern: 12 September 2024
Estimated: CHF 35,000
CHF 45,000 / USD 52,650
ANDY WARHOL
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark (F&S II.343), 1985
Color screenprint on Lenox Museum Board
Signed “Andy Warhol” in pencil by the artist lower left, numbered “7/40” to the left
With the printer’s blindstamp lower right.
With the stamp “© ANDY WARHOL 1985” on the reverse
Bruun Rasmussen: 5 March 2024
Estimated: DKK 300,000 – 400,000
DKK 396,000 / USD 57,642
ANDY WARHOL (b. Pennsylvania 1928, d. New York 1987)
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark (Feldman & Schellmann II.343), 1985
Screenprint in colors
Signed Andy Warhol, 12/40
Christie’s London: 28 September 2022
Estimated: GBP 15,000 – 25,000
GBP 37,800
ANDY WARHOL (1928-1987)
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, from: Reigning Queens, 1985
Screen-print in colors on Lenox Museum Board
Signed in pencil, numbered 28/40 (there were also ten artist’s proofs)
With the artist’s copyright stamp verso
Sotheby’s London: 14 September 2022
Estimated: GBP 15,000 – 25,000
GBP 56,700 / USD 65,230
ROYAL EDITION
ANDY WARHOL (1928 – 1987)
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark (F. & S. II.343A), from Reigning Queens (Royal Edition), 1985
Screenprint in colors with diamond dust on Lenox Museum Board
Signed in pencil, inscribed and numbered ‘R 11/30’
Queen Margrethe II (F&S II.344/344A)
K Auction Seoul: 22 February 2023
Estimated: KRW 35,000,000 – 100,000,000
KRW 82,544,045 / USD 63,195
ROYAL EDITION
ANDY WARHOL
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, from Reigning Queens (Royal Edition), 1985
Screen-print in colors with diamond dust on Lenox Museum Board
Signed and numbered on the lower left from the edition of 30
Queen Margrethe II (F&S II.345/345A)
Christie’s London: 25 September 2025
Estimated: GBP 40,000 – 60,000
ROYAL EDITION
PASSED
ANDY WARHOL (1928-1987)
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark (Feldman & Schellmann II.345A), 1985
From: Reigning Queens (Royal Edition)
Screenprint in colors with diamond dust on Lenox Museum Board
Signed in pencil, numbered R 7/30 (there were also five artist’s proofs)
Kornfeld Bern: 12 September 2024
Estimated: CHF 35,000
CHF 35,000 / USD 40,950
ANDY WARHOL
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark (F&S II.345), 1985
Color screenprint on Lenox Museum Board
Signed “Andy Warhol” in pencil by the artist lower left, numbered “7/40” to the left
With the printer’s blindstamp lower right.
With the stamp “© ANDY WARHOL 1985” on the reverse
SBI Art Auction: 28 October 2023
Estimated: JPY 2,000,000 – 3,000,000
JPY 7,245,000 / USD 49,526
ANDY WARHOL
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, from Reigning Queens (F. & S. II.345), 1985
Screen-print in colors with diamond dust on Lenox Museum Board
signed and numbered on the lower left from the edition of 40
K Auction Seoul: 31 May 2023
Estimated: KRW 58,000,000 – 100,000,000
KRW 96,600,000 / USD 73,223
ROYAL EDITION
ANDY WARHOL
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, from Reigning Queens (Royal Edition), 1985
Screen-print in colors with diamond dust on Lenox Museum Board
Signed and numbered on the lower left from the edition of 30
Trial Proofs
Ketterer Kunst: 7 June 2025
Estimated: EUR 30,000
EUR 50,800 / USD 57,405
ANDY WARHOL
Queen Margrethe II (Cf. Feldman, Schellmann, Defendi, no. IIB. 342-345), 1985
From the “Reigning Queens” portfolio
Silkscreen in colors on Lenox Museum card
Signed and numbered
One of 30 Trial Proofs
With the copyright stamp “Andy Warhol 1985” on the reverse
Christie’s London: 19 September 2013
Estimated: GBP 4,000 – 6,000
GBP 8,125
ANDY WARHOL (1928-1987)
Queen Margrethe II (Feldman and Schellmann IIB. 345), 1985
Unique screenprint in colors on Lenox Museum Board
Unsigned and unnumbered, a trial proof aside from the edition of 40
Complete Sets
Seoul Auction: 28 October 2025
Estimated: KRW 240,000,000 – 500,000,000
KRW 283,200,000 / USD 197,675
ROYAL EDITION
COMPLETE SET
ANDY WARHOL | 1928 ~ 1987 | American
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark (F. & S. II.342A-345A) (4 works), 1985
from Reigning Queens (Royal Edition)
Screenprints on Lenox Museum Board with diamond dust
R A.P 4/5 (aside from the edition of 30)
Each signed and numbered on the recto
Published by George C.P. Mulder, Amsterdam
Christie’s London: 1 April 2021
Estimated: GBP 60,000 – 80,000
GBP 81,250
ANDY WARHOL (1928-1987)
Queen Margarethe II of Denmark, from: Reigning Queens (Royal Edition), 1985
The set of four screenprints in colors with diamond dust on Lenox Museum Board
Each signed in pencil, numbered R26/30