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Queen Margrethe releases heartfelt statement on 'senseless war' in Ukraine

The Danish royals have donated to Ukrainian relief

queen margrethe
Zachary Harper
Digital Director for Hello! CanadaToronto
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Denmark's Queen Margrethe has spoken out about the war in Ukraine, and announced the royal family is making a large donation for those affected by the conflict. 

"There is war in Europe again," the monarch, who was born during the Second World War, said in a statement posted on the Danish royal family's official website earlier this week.

RELATED: The Queen makes 'generous' donation to Ukraine relief effort

"It makes me immensely sad to witness what is now happening in Ukraine," Margrethe continued. "The progress and the hope that flourished in Europe after the fall of the Berlin Wall now crumbles before our eyes."

RELATED: Prince William and Duchess Kate break silence on Ukraine invasion

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The release announced Margrethe and Prince Henrik's Foundation, along with the board of Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary's Foundation would donate 1 million Danish krone (about $190,000) to those affected by the war in Ukraine. The money will go to victims through organizations including Amnesty International, CARE, Doctors Without Borders/Médécins Sans Frontières, Save the Children, the Red Cross, the United Nations refugee agency and UNICEF, among others. 

"Daily, we see pictures of the war's destruction and injustice," the 81-year-old continued. "Lamentable pictures of children and women who must say farewell to their fathers, brothers and husbands, who fight for Ukraine as soldiers, but also heroic pictures of strong Ukrainian youth, who fight for the freedom they have a right to, and which they defend with their lives just now. 

Ukrainian refugees in Poland© Photo: Getty Images

Ukrainian refugees wait for help outside the country's consulate in Krakow, Poland earlier this week. The United Nations estimates nearly 2 million of the 3 million refugees who have fled the war have crossed the border into Poland. Photo: © Omar Marques/Getty Images

"For us as Danes, the whole situation makes an indelible impression. We sympathize with the people of Ukraine and support all who provide relief and work to save lives. 

"May this senseless war be brought to an end as soon as possible."

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During the Second World War, Denmark, along with much of continental Europe, was occupied by Nazi Germany. The Nazis invaded over just six hours in 1940 and remained in the country until the end of the war in 1945. Instead of going into exile, Margrethe's grandfather, King Christian X, opted to keep the Danish royal family in the country, and they became a symbol of resistance to the Nazis at the time. Christian X also helped send many of Denmark's Jewish citizens to Sweden so they could escape the Holocaust. 

WATCH: Prince William and Kate pay emotional visit to Ukrainian Cultural Centre

Margrethe is not the only royal to speak out about Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Duchess Kate and Prince William visited the Ukrainian Cultural Centre in London last week, where Disaster Emergency Committee volunteers were organizing relief for the country and for refugees who have fled the conflict. The Queen made a private donation to the fund last week. Kate has also subtly expressed support for Ukraine by wearing a badge with the country's flag. Earlier, the Cambridges recalled meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his wife Olena in London in 2020. 

RELATED: President Zelenskyy 'grateful' to Prince William and Kate for standing by Ukraine

MORE: Prince William and Kate reveal their children have been asking about Ukraine crisis

WATCH: Prince Charles and Camilla visit Ukrainian cathedral in show of solidarity

Prince Charles called the invasion of Ukraine "brutal aggression" in a speech on March 1, and he and Duchess Camilla visited the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in London the next day. 

And Queen Letizia of Spain wore a Ukrainian blouse known as a vyshyvanka during an engagement on March 3. 

Queen Letizia© Photo: Getty Images

Letizia made a subtle show of support while visiting the Mutua Madrileña Foundation in Madrid earlier this month. Photo: © Paolo Blocco/WireImage

As of this writing, the United Nations estimates nearly 3 million people have fled Ukraine since Russia invaded on Feb. 24.