Crown Princess Mary of Denmark (real name Mary Donaldson of Australia) is the wife of Crown Prince Frederick. She is set to ascend the Danish throne as Queen Consort on Sunday, marking the culmination of her remarkable royal journey. The ceremony was held following the abdication of Queen Margrethe II, who had reigned for 52 years. Queen Margrethe II, Europe’s longest-reigning living monarch, officially declares her abdication in her New Year’s address from Christian IX Palace at Amalienborg Castle in Copenhagen on December 31, 2023. did.
She formally informed her son, Crown Prince Frederik, of his succession to the throne.
When Mary joined the royal family in 2004, the Danish people welcomed her. Her rapid acquisition of Danish and her dedication to public service earned her widespread respect. A 2023 poll placed her as the third most popular member of the royal family, behind Queen Margrethe and Crown Prince Frederik.
After completing a Bachelor of Business Law and Law at the University of Tasmania, Mary embarked on a diverse career path. Mary graduated in 1995 and began her career in the advertising industry in Melbourne. She started as a trainee at DDB Needham and became an account executive. In 1996, she moved to Mojo Partners as account manager. She reportedly experienced a personal death in 1998 which led her to travel internationally and worked at Rupp Collins Worldwide in Edinburgh and Young & Rubicam in Sydney. .
Seeking a new path, Mary moved into real estate in 2000, becoming Sales Director and member of the management team at Belle Property. After teaching English in Paris in 2002, she took a job as a consultant in Denmark where she worked on business development, communications and marketing projects at Microsoft Business Solutions.
Throughout her nearly 20 years in the monarchy, Mary has been an active advocate for a variety of causes. In particular, she focuses on fighting bullying, domestic violence, and social isolation, while advocating for mental health awareness and women’s rights. She also extends her support to the Maternity Foundation, which prioritizes women’s reproductive and sexual health.
Historian Sebastian Olden-Jorgensen says Mary and Frederick represent a modern royal couple who incorporate modern interests such as pop music, modern art, and sports. While their reign marked a continuation of the legacy of the Danish monarchy, it also reflected a gradual adaptation to evolving times.