Queen Mary of Denmark, though firmly ensconced in her royal duties, took a delightful detour last week, returning to her roots in Tasmania.
The 53-year-old Tasmanian native enjoyed a private getaway with King Frederik and their three youngest children: Princess Isabella, 17, and the 14-year-old twins, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, in Hobart. The family’s outing saw Mary browsing the stalls at Hobart’s vibrant Salamanca Market on Saturday. Photographs published by Australian media captured her in a casual yet chic ensemble— a denim shirt paired with wide-legged green trousers, perfectly embodying laid-back elegance.
Traditionally, the Danish royal family spends the children’s winter break enjoying a ski trip, yet Mary has made a habit of visiting her Australian family during the summer months. Her last visit saw her turn heads during a stroll on Sydney’s Bronte Beach with her daughter, Princess Josephine, back in October.
Meanwhile, the responsibilities of the Danish crown continue unabated. King Frederik and Queen Mary’s eldest child, Crown Prince Christian, recently began his journey at military school, stepping in as regent from February 7 to February 16. The King resumed his royal duties on Monday, welcoming guests at Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen.
Mary’s familial ties run deep, being the youngest of four children born to Scottish immigrants John and Henrietta Donaldson. She has three older siblings: Jane, Patricia, and John. Tragically, Mary lost her mother in 1997 due to complications from heart surgery when she was just 25. Her father later remarried British author Susan Horwood in 2001.
In another royal development, Frederik’s brother, Prince Joachim, and his wife, Princess Marie, ventured to Canada over the weekend to support the Danish team at the Invictus Games. Residing in Washington, D.C., the couple attended various events, where they were spotted enthusiastically engaging with fellow attendees, including Prince Harry, the founder of this inspiring tournament for injured servicemen and women.
As the royal family embraces public life, the connections to their roots and to each other remain evident. Queen Mary’s visit to Tasmania serves as a touching reminder of her beginnings, while the broader royal engagements continue to unfold on both home soil and international stages.
