SYDNEY (AP) — For the first time, Australians are on the brink of witnessing one of their countrymen, Princess Mary of Denmark, ascend to the throne of queen as her husband, Crown Prince Frederick, was declared king of a European nation on Sunday. I realized that I was standing up. .
He will become King Frederick X of Denmark two weeks after his 83-year-old mother. queen margrethe iiannounced that she will be the first Danish royal family to abdicate in nearly 900 years.
Princess Mary, 51,’s unlikely journey from Tasmanian law student to European royalty as the world’s first Australian-born queen has captivated Danes and Australians alike for more than two decades.
Mary Donaldson was 28 years old and working as a real estate agent when she chanced upon the Prince of Denmark in a Sydney pub during the 2000 Olympics. He had come to the competition to support the Danish sailing team.
The announcement of their engagement in 2003 was the beginning of what is considered a fairytale romance in Australia, and her assumption of the title of Queen Consort has many Australians full of excitement and anticipation.
Although this country professes to be classless and egalitarian, Australians feel a sense of national pride in the fact that, as fellow Australians, they occupy a prominent position on the world stage, transcending geographical, social and cultural boundaries. It reflects. Even if it comes from a good marriage.
Princess Mary’s accession to the throne also comes at a time when many Australians, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, want Australia to sever ties with the British monarchy and become a republic with its own head of state. It also has the potential to encourage discussion about identity.
More specifically, Princess Mary has played an important role in connecting Australia and Denmark. For more than 20 years, Australians have watched her seamlessly incorporate Danish traditions and language into her life, while maintaining a strong connection to her Australian roots and frequenting her homeland. Ta.
Her philanthropic commitment to championing health, women’s rights and children’s welfare has endeared her to Australians.
And in the early hours of Monday Australian time, the modern fairy tale will reach a new high as Princess Mary becomes the first Australian to become Queen.