Queen Mary is surrounded by seaweed as she visits one of the emptiest parts of Denmark

King Frederik and Queen Mary sailed into the least populated part of Denmark on the latest stop on their summer tour but got a big welcome.

The King and Queen of Denmark were in Læsø which has the smallest population of any municipality in the country.

The royal arrived in Østerby Harbour with a welcoming ceremony taking place at a tent directly on the harbour.

The harbour dominates the town which has a population of around 400 people. It appeared that many had turned out to see King Frederik and Queen Mary as they cruised along the Kattegat which surrounds the place.

Despite its small size, Østerby packs a big punch for some of Denmark’s most famous produce. It’s the second biggest fishing port for langoustines, with the catch prized by chefs around a country which is renowned for its innovative Michelin star winning cuisine.

The quality of the langoustines fished at Østerby means that a large export trade has grown up around the industry in the little town and King Frederik and Queen Mary heard about its impact as they began their stay there.

They also caught a glimpse of another Østerby speciality – houses thatched with seaweed. There are currently calls for these unique homes, some of which date back three hundred years, to be made a UNESCO World Heritage site.

This summer tour has included a focus on local economies and King Frederik and Queen Mary visit Læsø Saltworks to learn more about salt production, meet students learning the ways of the industry, and hear more about the history of saltworking in Læsø.

The area has been a centre of salt production since the Middle Ages with a revival in the second half of the 20th century bringing a boost to the local economy.

King Frederik and Queen Mary were treated to lunch at another of the area’s biggest attractions, the Rønnerne, a nature preserve and safari area for marsh and mudflat animals and plants.

The sanctuary covers several thousands hectares and includes wetlands, tidal flats, meadows and lagoons. The area is known for its tides which dramatically change the water level and leave vast areas exposed. It’s a popular tourist attraction as well as a vital place for ecological understanding.

This summer tour has seen King Frederik and Queen Mary stop off at several similar sites to see how different parts of the country are supporting the natural environment. They began in Frederikshavn where Mary kicked off her shoes to walk barefoot in the sand and take a paddle in the sea. The Queen of Denmark stayed shod on this stop.

The third day of this sun touched summer tour saw the couple head to the Læsø Museum Farm which recreates life in the 17th and 18th centuries. And there was no escaping the seaweed as the story of the famous rooves unfolded for the royal visitors once more.

The first two days of the summer tour concluded with a gala dinner. However, King Frederik and Queen Mary ended their third day with an afternoon tea party on board the royal yacht, Dannebrog.

They welcomed hundreds of guests on board for a celebration that included strawberry scones and mini sandwiches. However, it was far from a simple entrance. With the boat in harbour, arrivals were by chalup.