King Frederik of Denmark has recounted how he was very much second best during part of his State Visit to Australia and said he couldn’t be happier with the outcome.
The Danish king was speaking at an event at the Royal Botanical Garden in Melbourne which he held with Queen Mary as a thank you to their hosts as their hugely successful State Visit to Australia came to a close.
Frederik X took the chance to reflect on just how popular his Australian born wife remains in her home country. This is the first State Visit that Queen Mary has made since her husband too the Danish throne in January 2024.
(Kongehuset)
As he prepared to introduce Queen Mary, King Frederik told the audience that during their stay in Sydney, he had been alongside his wife when a little boy spotted them. And he said that the child had asked his mum ”who is that boy next to Mary?”.
He got a big laugh and a round of applause from his guests as he sent himself up. He then continued ”in the eyes of Australians, I suspect I shall always be the one standing next to Mary….I take that very much as a compliment.”
In return, his wife paid him a compliment as she began to speak, saying to the King of Denmark that he wasn’t a boy but ”a man to me”.
(Kongehuset)
Queen Mary also had sweet words for Australia in her own speech, noting that ”It touches me deeply that my family and I are always welcomed with such warmth and interest and, that we continue to have a place in Australian’s hearts and minds. To be remembered is not something to be taken for granted.”
The sweet and rather flirty exchange came as the Danish king and queen thanked their hosts for their State Visit which will last six day in total and which has taken them from Uluru to Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne.
Queen Mary has clearly relished her time in Australia and has been a huge hit wherever she has gone. She showed off a perfect rugby kick and has been a queen of selfies on walkabouts with the big crowds that have turned out to see her.
(Kongehuset)
The formal side of the State Visit has also gone perfectly with the couple being hosted by the Governor General of Australia and meeting the country’s Prime Minister, Antony Albanese, during their stay.
King Frederik and Queen Mary have often referred to their love of Australia throughout the trip and called it a second home to them and their family. The visit will have a particularly emotional end as it will conclude in Tasmania, where Queen Mary was born.
While they are away, their eldest child, Crown Prince Christian, has been regent of Denmark. The 20 year old is currently undergoing military training but often steps in as regent as his parents carry out overseas visits.
