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Denmark

Crown Princess Mary opens war memorial to Australian soliders in Denmark

Crown Princess Mary attended the dedication of a war memorial for Australian soldiers who lost their lives fighting in Denmark during the First and Second World Wars.

The ceremony to unveil the Australian War Memorial in Denmark took place at Churchill Park in Copenhagen, and Crown Princess Mary was joined by Australian Ambassador Mary Ellen Miller, Chief of Defence Staff Lieutenant General Kenneth Pedersen, and Defence Minister Trine Bramsen.

The Australian War Memorial in Denmark is inscribed with the following message: “This stone stands in memorial to Australian servicemen of the First and Second World Wars who are at rest in Danish soil. Their valiant sacrifice stands testament to the common devotion to freedom and democracy that our nations share.

“They shall not grow old as we are left to grow old. Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them.

“Lest we forget.”

In total, 68 Royal Australian Air Force crew members were killed in action in Denmark during the Second World War in an effort to help liberate Denmark from the Nazi occupation.

Crown Princess Mary laid a wreath at the memorial and unveiled a plaque, while Trine Bramsen laid a wreath and LGen Kenneth Pedersen laid a wreath and gave a speech.

The Danish Ministry of Defence posted on Twitter, “Since [the Second World War] Australia has been a strong ally of Denmark, and our current military cooperation is an important part of our bilateral relationship.”

Bramsen wrote on her official Twitter, “Respect for those who fought. We must never take freedom and peace for granted.”

The Australian Embassy in Denmark was responsible for the creation of the Australian War Memorial in Denmark. Crown Princess Mary, who was born in Hobart, in Tasmania, Australia, has been known to carry out engagements that represent the bilateral relationships between Denmark and Australia.

About author

Jess Ilse is the Assistant Editor at Royal Central. She specialises in the British, Danish, Norwegian and Swedish Royal Families and has been following royalty since Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee. Jess has provided commentary for media outlets in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Jess works in communications and her debut novel THE MAJESTIC SISTERS will publish in Fall 2024.