Denmark’s Crown Princess Mary is set to make history as the first Australian born Queen in the Scandinavian country’s history.
The 47-year-old Tasmanian native is the eldest daughter of John Donaldson and Henrietta, who married in 1961 and lived in Australia until they retired in Tasmania in 1992. The couple had four children – Mary, John, Patricia, and Martyn.
The future Queen of Denmark, who would be the first woman to ascend to the throne since 1412, is a direct descendent of two Kings of Denmark, and is also related to the royal lineages of Sweden, Great Britain, Norway and Luxembourg.
Mary moved to Denmark in 2001 to pursue a career in business and it was here where she met her future husband, Crown Prince Frederik. The couple married in 2004 and now have four children: Christian, Isabella, Vincent, and Josephine.
As a wife of the Crown Prince, Mary is entitled to the title of Crown Princess of Denmark and is set to become Queen of Denmark upon the death of her father in law, the current King, Margrethe II.
Mary is expected to take up her duties as Queen gracefully, and continue to be an advocate for her homeland, with the royal family’s close connection to Denmark, as well as her closeness to the previous monarchs, being seen as assets in the Scandinavian kingdom.
Despite being raised in Australia, Mary has embraced Danish culture and has had a close relationship with the Danish people, who gave her a generous welcome as Prince Frederik’s bride. She has quickly become a beloved figure who is admired for her grace, sense of style and charity causes.
The much-loved Queen-to-be is expected to make a great impression as she takes the throne, offering a strong role model for her children and the people of Denmark.
