PHOTO: Prince Frederik & Princess Mary. FILE
Australian-born Princess Mary is poised to bring a contemporary touch to the Danish royal family upon her coronation as Queen of Denmark alongside her husband, Prince Frederik.
Their love story unfolded as a fairy tale when Prince Frederik first met Mary at Sydney’s Slip Inn during the 2000 Olympics. At the time, Mary Donaldson, working as a sales director with a real estate agency, had limited knowledge of Denmark, focusing on the author Hans Christian Andersen and the fact that the Sydney Opera House was designed by a Dane.
The couple celebrated their union in a lavish ceremony in 2004, and over the years, they have welcomed four children – Christian, Isabella, Josephine, and Vincent.
Two decades later, Mary, who hails from Hobart and grew up in Taroona, is poised to ascend to the pinnacle of Danish royalty when her husband assumes the title of King. The announcement came in Queen Margrethe II’s New Year’s address, where she revealed her decision to abdicate on January 14 after a reign of 52 years.
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff commended Princess Mary as an outstanding ambassador for the state, praising her humility, grace, and kindness. He expressed confidence that Crown Princess Mary, once proclaimed, will be embraced as Queen alongside King Frederik.
Despite her royal responsibilities, the soon-to-be Queen maintains ties to her home state as an International Patron of the Alannah and Madeline Foundation, an organization supporting children facing family violence. Renowned for her impeccable fashion sense, Princess Mary has been featured on Vanity Fair’s best-dressed lists and is an advocate for sustainable fashion.
Beyond her royal duties, she actively addresses issues such as bullying in schools and social isolation through her Mary Foundation. Premier Rockliff expressed pride in witnessing Tasmania’s own born Queen shaping Denmark’s future.
Princess Mary showcased her environmental commitment during a visit to Australia in April, engaging in discussions about the country’s “green transition” and exploring Danish-led projects related to sustainable construction and transportation. Her recent attendance at the coronation of King Charles III in London reflects her ongoing role on the global stage.