On January 14, 2024, Crown Prince Frederik and his wife, Crown Princess Mary, will assume new titles as Crown Prince Frederik’s mother, Queen Margrethe, steps down as King. As drama swirls in the Danish royal family, members of the royal family are sworn in as king and queen.
But the spotlight is nothing new for the royal couple, who have been in the spotlight ever since their storied romance began. Here, we take a look back at the real-life fairytale love story of Prince Frederick and Princess Mary.
1968
Prince Frederick and his parents, 1968.
The eldest son of Queen Margrethe II and her husband Prince Henrik, Frédéric (baptized Frédéric André Henrik Christian) was born on May 26, 1968, just four years before his mother became queen. After Margrethe’s coronation, Frederick assumed the title of Crown Prince.
1972
Although she later became a member of the Danish royal family, Crown Princess Mary was actually Australian by birth, born Mary Elizabeth Donaldson on February 5, 1972 in Hobart, Tasmania. She is the daughter of a Scottish mathematics professor father and mother. Her British mother, Mary, had dual Australian and British citizenship before becoming a Danish citizen through her marriage.
1994
Mary completed a Bachelor of Business Law and Law at the University of Tasmania. She then pursued a career as an advertising executive at agencies such as DDB Needham and her MOJO Partners. She also worked in real estate.
1995
Sporty and adventurous (he even took part in a four-month, 1,700-mile dog sledding expedition in Greenland), Frederick became the first Danish royal to complete a university education, earning a master’s degree in political science from Aarhus University. and graduated.
Frederick also received military training in the Army, Navy and Air Force, completing his training in the Danish Navy Frogman Unit in 1995. He subsequently held the ranks of commander in the Navy and colonel in the Army and Air Force.
the year of 2000
During the Olympics in Sydney, Australia, the future couple met at a local pub called the Slip Inn, but Mary was unaware of Frederick’s royal identity – reportedly the prince was simply He called himself Fred. “When we first met, we shook hands, but I didn’t know he was the Crown Prince of Denmark,” Mary told 60 Minutes Australia in 2003. Do you know who these people are? ”
They began a secret long-distance relationship until their relationship became public in 2001.
2002
Mary moved to Denmark, and in an apparent nod to the couple’s vision for the future, she converted to the Lutheran Church and began learning Danish.
Frederic kissed Mary’s ring when they announced their engagement in 2003.
2003
On October 8, 2003, the couple announced at Fredensborg Palace that they would marry the following year.
2004
On May 14, 2004, Frederick and Mary were married in Copenhagen Cathedral. Mary wore an ivory boat-neck dress by Danish designer Uffe Frank, which reportedly had her mother’s wedding ring sewn into its lining, which she passed away in 1997. It was a tribute to her late mother. Mary also carried a bouquet of eucalyptus in honor of her mother. Despite her Australian roots, the diamond tiara given to her by her new in-laws and the Irish lace veil have been royal heirlooms since Princess Margaret of Connacht first wore them at her wedding. So, I accepted my new nationality. One day in 1905.
On their wedding day in 2004, the royal couple waved from the palace balcony.
Year 2005
Just over two years after announcing their engagement, Mary and Frederick’s first child, Prince Christian, was born on October 15, 2005. When Frederick ascends to the throne in 2024, Christian will become the heir apparent and is expected to receive the title of Crown Prince. .
2007
On April 21, 2007, the couple welcomed their second child, Princess Isabella.
2011
The royal family started the new year with the size of their family doubling with the birth of twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine.
Family in 2018.
2022
Queen Margrethe has announced that the titles of her second son Prince Joachim’s four children will be abolished, in an apparent bid to modernize and streamline the royal family. Mary and Frederick’s children were not affected by the controversial decision as they are the closest in line to the throne, but the couple spoke out in support of the Queen.
“We understand that this is a difficult decision to make and a very difficult decision to accept. Change can be difficult and can be really hurtful,” Crown Princess Mary told reporters. “But this does not mean that the decision is not the right one.” “When the time is right, we will also consider titles for our children. Now we don’t know what the royal family will look like in the Christian era, or when the Christian era will approach.”
Frederick later agreed, stating: “I myself have an interest in seeing the Danish monarchy remain lean for a long time, so I support my mother’s decision.”
Frederick and Mary joined Queen Margrethe and her children Prince Christian, Prince Vincent, Princess Isabella and Princess Josephine on the balcony of Amalienborg Palace on Christian’s 18th birthday in 2023.
2023
In late 2023, rumors surfaced that Frédéric was having an affair with socialite Geneva Casanova. Casanova categorically denied this claim, saying: Hi, “I categorically deny any comments suggesting a romantic relationship with Prince Frederick.” [sic] And me. Statements of this kind are not only completely false, they distort the facts in a malicious way. This is now in the hands of my attorney, who will take appropriate steps to protect my honor, truth, and privacy rights. ”
The royal couple did not comment publicly on the allegations, but it was later suggested that Margrethe’s decision to abdicate may have been motivated by a desire to save Frederik and Mary’s marriage.
2024
Frederick and Mary, who will soon become King and Queen of Denmark.
In her New Year’s speech, Queen Margrethe announced she would step down from the throne, becoming the first Danish monarch to abdicate in more than 500 years.
The Queen said: “I have decided that now is the right time. On January 14, 2024, 52 years after I succeeded my beloved father, I will step down as Queen of Denmark. The throne will go to my son Frederick. I will hand it over to the crown prince.”
Once officially abdicated, Frederick will become king and Mary will become queen, following the proclamation of the Prime Minister at Christiansborg Palace. Unlike Britain’s King Charles, who was crowned in May 2023, there will be no large-scale coronation ceremony.
Lauren Hubbard is a freelance writer and Town & Country Contributors covering beauty, shopping, entertainment, travel, home decor, wine, and cocktails.