The Australian-born princess will become Queen of Denmark in a real-life fairytale when her husband, Crown Prince Frederik, ascends the throne on January 14 following the abdication of his mother.
Queen Margrethe II announced yesterday that she will step down from the throne after 52 years, citing age and health problems.
The 83-year-old’s announcement came after successful hip surgery in February last year.
This came as a surprise, as Queen Margrethe had repeatedly insisted over the years that she would never step down.
The next Queen Mary was born on February 5, 1972 in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, and was named Mary Donaldson.
She was working as an advertising executive when she met the future king while out with friends at a pub in Sydney during the 2000 Olympics.
Only later did the princess learn that he was the Crown Prince of Denmark and that his group of friends consisted of other European royalty – including his brother Prince Joachim and his cousin Prince Joachim. Also included were Prince Nikolaos of Greece and Denmark.
“The first time we met, we shook hands,” she said in an interview several years ago.
“I didn’t know he was the Prince of Denmark. Half an hour later, someone came up to me and said, ‘Do you know who these people are?'”
After a cautious long-distance relationship and many discreet visits, the couple became officially engaged in October 2003 and married on May 14, 2004 at Copenhagen Cathedral.
The couple are now parents to four children. Prince Christian, 18, will one day succeed his father, Princess Isabella, 16, as king, and his twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine will turn 13 next week.
Princess Mary attracted attention in Denmark from the beginning, impressing the Danes with her ability to quickly learn the Danish language.
A poll released last month by Danish television TV2 declared her the third most popular royal in the country, behind the hugely popular Queen and Mary’s husband Frederick.
She is often compared to Britain’s Duchess Kate, thanks to her sense of fashion style and long dark hair, and regularly graces the best-dressed pages of Danish and international magazines.
She is also known for her work fighting bullying, domestic violence and social isolation, and promoting mental health and women’s rights.
According to historian Sebastian Olden-Jorgensen, Mary and Frederick are considered a modern couple who loved pop music, modern art, and sports.
They try to give their four children as normal an education as possible, sending them primarily to state schools.
The couple’s eldest son, Prince Christian, became the first Danish royal to attend nursery school.
Olden-Jorgensen said they “do not represent as much revolutionary potential as the Queen”, but they do show a careful transition that is adapted to the times.
Princess Mary has been regularly visiting Australia with her husband and children over the years, and has also received a lot of media attention.