SYDNEY: The extraordinary journey of Mary Donaldson, born in Australia, from Tasmania to becoming the queen of Denmark is being joyously commemorated throughout her home country.
Crown Princess Mary of Denmark achieved the historic milestone of being the world’s first Australian-born queen, following the proclamation of her husband, Crown Prince Frederik, as the king of the European nation on Sunday.
This crowning moment occurred just two weeks after Queen Margrethe II, the 83-year-old mother of Crown Prince Frederik, made the unprecedented announcement that she would be the first Danish royal to abdicate in nearly 900 years. The culmination of this captivating modern-day fairytale, which has enthralled both Danes and Australians for over two decades, was met with celebrations in various Australian towns and cities.
Hometown festivities in Hobart, the capital of the southern island state of Tasmania and Queen Mary’s birthplace, included the illumination of several landmarks in Denmark’s iconic red and white colors. Residents gathered at Taroona Beach, near Queen Mary’s childhood home, to revel in the moment with picnics and high tea.
Meanwhile, in Melbourne, a significant crowd congregated at Denmark House, one of the city’s oldest social clubs, to partake in a special cultural event celebrating the coronation.
“It’s not something that happens every day that you have an Australian becoming queen. I don’t know if it will ever happen again,” Danish Club Vice President Lykka Borup said to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Celebrations were in full swing at the Slip Inn, the Sydney pub where the royal couple initially crossed paths during the 2000 Olympics. The venue revealed plans to host a “Danish Fiesta” throughout January, featuring a unique cocktail named “There’s Something About Mary.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese characterized Queen Mary’s ascent as a “great day.”
“She has carried herself in a way that I think just brings enormous support and pride to all Australians,” he told the ABC’s Radio National program on Monday.
“We’re very proud that Hobart-born Mary Donaldson has become the queen of Denmark,” he said.
