Mary of Denmark is back in Australia. It is the first time she returns to her homeland since the ascent to the throne of her husband, King Frederik, in January 2024. The couple arrived in Australian territory last weekend as part of an official state visit to strengthen relations between the two countries. Throughout their trip there have been plenty of photos of them at various iconic sites around the country, but the real purpose of the trip is far from romantic.
Mary’s father’s health, John Donaldson, has deteriorated in recent months. That is why a state visit intended to strengthen ties between Denmark and Australia also hides a very personal reason for the royal. In this bittersweet moment for his wife, King Frederik wished to pay tribute with a nod in his emotional speech delivered during the state dinner held in Canberra.
With the echoes of old controversies like Genoveva Casanova now silenced, the monarch reaffirmed his love for his wife. It was at the residence of the Australian Governor-General where King Frederik recalled how the couple met in a Sydney pub during the 2000 Olympic Games. The then-prince introduced himself to Mary Donaldson, a Tasmanian advertising executive, simply as ‘Fred’.
“For me, Australia has held a very special place in my heart since I walked into that bar and got lost in a conversation that has never ended,” Frederik of Denmark said about that night that changed his life. “Mary, you had the courage to leave your beloved home and build a new one with me in the farthest place one could reach. For that, I will be eternally grateful to you.” And he added that “Australia is our second home. Whether we come here for a family visit or for a state visit, we feel excited and completely at ease.”
Mary of Denmark’s Father’s Frail Health
Queen Mary has reintegrated herself naturally in the country that was once her home: smiles, poses and warm greetings to her fans have been the norm during her busy royal schedule. A trip clouded by a major family concern. Her father, John Donaldson, has suffered a “deterioration” in his health in recent times, according to Australian media. “Mary insisted they finish the tour in Hobart so she could stay there and spend as much time as possible with her father,” according to Sky News, citing a family source.
Queen Mary with her father, John Donaldson.
«A sus 84 años, John lleva tiempo sin poder viajar y le afectó mucho perderse su coronación, pero para la reina Mary cada visita tiene más importancia, ya que su deterioro le resulta más evidente a ella que a sus hermanos, que lo ven constantemente», afirma esta persona cercana a la royal y a su padre, profesor de matemáticas jubilado. Y añade que el «regreso a casa de Mary no es diplomático, es personal».
Los reyes de Dinamarca comenzaron su visita en Perth antes de dirigirse a Uluru, donde fueron recibidos por los ancianos Anangu, los propietarios tradicionales de esta tierra. El lunes Mary y Frederik fueron ovacionados por una multitud que abarrotaba el exterior del Monumento a los Caídos en Canberra, antes de dirigirse al Parlamento, donde les recibió el primer ministro, Anthony Albanese. La pareja real danesa se dirigirá a continuación a Melbourne, antes de concluir su gira en Hobart, Tasmania, donde nació Mary Donaldson hace 54 años.
The sadness of Queen Mary in Australia
It is logical that her father’s poor health is a source of concern for Queen Mary, hence royal etiquette experts have detected a sense of sadness in her appearances during the state visit to Australia. Despite the excitement surrounding the tour, there is a notable presence quietly weighing in the background. It is a fact that the health of her beloved father, John Donaldson, whom she has planned to visit at the end of her trip, is in decline.
Now her compatriots who are closely following the return of the Danish queen to Australia wonder whether Mary is sad, absent, or if she is simply playing the role she has prepared for decades. In statements to the Daily Mail, royal expert Jo Hayes says that “there is no doubt she is concerned about her father’s deteriorating health, but she is also happy to be at home, and why wouldn’t she be? She has always spoken of her unwavering love for Australia and its people.”
Hayes is convinced that, no matter how much she worries about her parent, “she has a remarkable ability to maintain composure under pressure. She left behind her entire life to move to a foreign country, marry a member of European royalty and assume the role of queen, all while raising four children.” And she adds that “her inner strength keeps her steady and focused on how she is facing her father’s health decline.”
