Queen Mary of Denmark recently celebrated her 52nd birthday, marking her first birthday since her husband, King Frederik, ascended to the throne. To commemorate the occasion, the Danish Royal House treated the public to a never-before-seen photo of Mary with her father, John Donaldson, on their official Instagram account. The picture showed a heartwarming moment between the father and daughter, with a makeup-free Mary embracing her father with a smile.
The caption accompanying the personal photo read, 'Her Majesty The Queen has a birthday and turns 52 today. On this occasion, the Queen has chosen an image of a special moment with her father from her recent trip to Australia in December. His Royal Highness Prince Vincent is the photographer behind it.' Prince Vincent, the youngest son of Queen Mary and King Frederik, captured the candid moment, adding an extra touch of sentimentality to the snapshot. The royal couple also has three other children: Crown Prince Christian, Princess Isabella, and Princess Josephine, who is Prince Vincent's twin.
In December 2023, prior to Queen Margrethe's unexpected announcement of abdication, then-Crown Princess Mary traveled to Australia with her twins to visit her family. Princess Isabella and Crown Prince Frederik later joined the trio, while Prince Christian had to stay behind due to school commitments. The family trip took place amidst rumors of an affair between King Frederik and Mexican-born socialite Geneveva Casanova, which emerged after they were photographed together during a private trip to Madrid. However, Casanova denied any romantic involvement with the royal, and the Danish Royal House chose not to comment on the matter.
During their private trip to Australia, the royal family enjoyed a break from their official duties. Australia holds a special place in Queen Mary's heart, as it is her birthplace and where she first met her husband. Born as Mary Donaldson in Hobart, Tasmania, in 1972, Queen Mary's father, John, emigrated from Scotland with her mother, Henrietta, almost a decade prior to her birth.
Mary, then at the age of 28, worked as an advertising executive when she had a chance encounter that changed her life forever. One evening in September 2000, she struck up a conversation with a man named 'Fred' at the Slip Inn in Sydney during the Summer Olympics. That man turned out to be Prince Frederik, and despite it not being a 'love at first sight' moment, Mary described feeling a sense of excitement that 'clicked' between them.
For a year, Mary and Frederik nurtured their relationship long-distance, away from the media spotlight. In 2002, Mary moved to Copenhagen, converted to the Lutheran Church, and embarked on the challenging process of learning Danish. The couple eventually announced their engagement in 2003 and tied the knot the following year at Copenhagen Cathedral. During their wedding, in a nod to his Scottish roots, Mary's father walked her down the aisle wearing a kilt, creating a meaningful and memorable moment.
Unfortunately, Mary's mother, Henrietta, couldn't be present at her daughter's royal wedding as she had passed away in 1997 due to complications from heart surgery. Mary shared in an interview, 'I'm sure she would be very happy to see me where I am, not only happy in my family life and as a mother but also to see that I've used my new situation and the resources and skills I have to form a platform to make a difference where I can... And I think she's probably smiling.'
Following Queen Margrethe's surprise announcement in her New Year's Address in early 2024, Prince Frederik became Denmark's new monarch. Two weeks later, on the 52nd anniversary of Queen Margrethe's accession to the throne, King Frederik ascended and Prince Christian became the new Crown Prince. The couple's three other children, Princess Isabella, Prince Vincent, and Princess Josephine, also moved up a spot in the line of succession.
Notably, Queen Mary holds the distinction of being the only queen consort in Danish history to have been born in Australia. On King Frederik's accession day, the royal family, including Queen Mary and their children, shared the joyous moment on the palace balcony after the prime minister officially proclaimed Frederik as the new king. In a pleasant surprise, the newly ascended King and Queen shared a kiss, which was met with cheers and excitement from the thrilled crowd.
The celebration of Queen Mary's birthday not only commemorated her personal milestone but also provided a touching glimpse into her family life and the journey that led her to become a beloved queen consort. As she continues her role as an influential figure in Denmark, Queen Mary's dedication to making a positive impact remains evident, showing the world the strength and resilience of the Danish royal family.
