In her New Year’s Eve speech on December 31, 2023, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark announced that she would abdicate in favor of her eldest son, Crown Prince Frederik. The announcement drew immediate media attention not only to the prince, but also to his wife, Mary Elizabeth, Crown Princess of Denmark, who is now the Queen Consort.
The biggest reason why Mary Elizabeth is attracting so much attention is that she was born in Australia, making her the first Australian-born monarch in history.
The media treats her rise from commoner to the top of Europe’s monarchies as nothing short of a fairy tale.
Why did Queen Margrethe II decide to abdicate?
At 83, Queen Margrethe II is the longest-serving female head of state and the longest-reigning monarch in Danish history.
She is currently the world’s only female monarch, and if Queen Margrethe II abdicates, it will be the first time in more than 70 years that any monarchy in the world will have no female monarch.
The Queen of Denmark commented on her successful hip surgery in her New Year’s Eve speech.
Regarding the surgery that took place in February, she said, “After undergoing the surgery, I naturally started thinking about the future.Is it time to hand over responsibility to the next generation?”
“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,” she said. “Her throne will pass to her son, Crown Prince Frederik.”
Queen Margrethe II’s husband, Prince Henrik of Denmark, died in 2018. The two married in 1967 and he served as her royal consort until her death.
All about Mary Elizabeth, Crown Princess of Denmark
Where was Crown Princess Mary Elizabeth born?
Mary was born Mary Elizabeth Donaldson on February 5, 1972, in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, to Scottish parents. Her father was a professor of mathematics and her mother worked as an administrative assistant at the University of Tasmania.
She grew up on the island and attended local schools. She studied commerce and law in Tasmania before moving to mainland Australia’s cities of Melbourne and Sydney for her work.
How did she meet Prince Frederick?
At the age of 28, Mary Elizabeth met Prince Frederick at a Slip In Bar in Sydney during the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. By that time, she was working in advertising and real estate.
Mary Elizabeth did not know that Frederick was a prince.
“The first time we met, we shook hands, but I didn’t know he was the Crown Prince of Denmark. About an hour later, someone came up to me and said, ‘Do you know who these people are? ‘Are you ready?’,” she told the media in 2003 before her wedding to Prince Frederick.
“From the first moment we started talking, we never really stopped talking,” she told the Australian TV show. 60 minutes It’s the same year. “[Due to] We had a strong relationship to begin with, partly because of the geographical distance, but also because everything was through language. ”
Interestingly, it was also during the interview. 60 minutes When asked about her thoughts on the fact that she would one day become Queen Consort.
“Not quite, no,” Mary Elizabeth answered. “As I’ve said several times today, today is my first day in this role in earnest, and we’ll see how I transition into that role.”
When did Crown Princess Mary Elizabeth marry Crown Prince Frederick?
The two began a secret long-distance relationship soon after they met.
according to guardianDanish royal magazine made their relationship public. billed blade, revealed about Mary Elizabeth in 2001. She was also the first to report that Mary was “beautiful, sociable, talented and possibly a future crown princess.”
About two years later, on October 8, 2003, the two officially became engaged.
The wedding of Crown Princess Mary Elizabeth and Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark took place on May 14, 2004 at Copenhagen Cathedral.
The couple went on to become parents to four children: Prince Christian, Princess Isabella, Prince Vincent, and Princess Josephine.
Why is Crown Princess Mary Elizabeth of Denmark so famous?
Crown Princess Mary is widely respected in Denmark and abroad for her social contribution activities. She has been praised for supporting her humanitarian work, including the rights of women and the LGBTQ+ community.
She founded the Mary Foundation in 2007. Focusing on domestic violence, loneliness, bullying and wellbeing, the foundation aims to “improve the lives of children, adults and families as a result of environment, genetics, disease or circumstance”. In other situations, they feel socially isolated or excluded from society. ”
“I’ve always had a strong sense of justice, that everyone should have the same opportunities, no matter where they come from,” Crown Princess Mary said. financial times In 2022.
What is Crown Prince Mary Elizabeth of Denmark’s net worth?
The Crown Prince and Princess of Denmark have their royal residences in Frederik VIII’s Palace at Amalienborg Palace and the Prime Minister’s Office at Fredensborg Palace. However, the net worth of Frederick or Mary is unknown.
according to SunThe Danish royal family’s net worth is estimated to be around US$40 million.
The family’s main source of income is appanage, which the Danish parliament allocates each year from the state budget for royal expenditure. This appanage covers everything from expenses and payments to royal employees.
According to the report, that number amounts to approximately $12 million annually.
When will the Crown Princess become Queen of Denmark?
Queen Margrethe II announced on New Year’s Eve that she will abdicate on January 14, 2024.
On this day, 55-year-old Crown Prince Frederick becomes King Frederick X of Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe Islands. Crown Princess Mary, 51, will also become Queen of Denmark.
But unlike what the world witnessed at the coronation of Charles III in 2023, there will be no pomp or show in Denmark when Crown Prince Frederick becomes monarch. Instead, a simple proclamation would be made from Amalienborg Castle in Copenhagen officially making Frederick king.
Denmark dates back more than 1,000 years and was ruled by Europe’s oldest dynasty. The current royal family, the Glücksborgs, have reigned on the Danish throne for almost 160 years.
Denmark opted for a proclamation system in the 1800s with the introduction of the Danish Constitution. King Christian VIII thus became the last Danish king to be crowned in 1840.
This is why Queen Margrethe II was proclaimed monarch on January 15, 1972, following the death of her father Frederick IX. There was no fanfare, even though thousands of people gathered outside Christiansborg Castle.
Juliet Reeden, Editor-in-Chief Australian Women’s WeeklySaid CNN On the day of the declaration, Mary and Frederik are likely to appear on the balcony of Christiansborg Palace, along with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and the royal family.
(Main image and featured image: DET DANSKE KONGEHUS/@detdanskekongehus/Instagram)
FAQ
– How old is Crown Princess Mary Elizabeth of Denmark?
Crown Princess Mary Elizabeth of Denmark is 51 years old. She was born on February 5, 1972.
– When did Prince Frederick of Denmark marry Mary Donaldson?
Prince Frederick married Mary Elizabeth on May 14, 2004.