Australia’s Princess Mary to Take the Crown as Queen of Denmark

Crown Prince Frederik kisses his wife Crown Princess Mary Of Denmark as they arrive at a furniture shop during their visit to Germany on May 21, 2015. Lennart Preiss/Getty Images

Australian-born Princess Mary of Denmark will soon become the Queen of Denmark after Queen Margrethe II of Denmark announced she would step down from her position.

In a speech on New Year’s Eve, the 83-year-old Queen revealed her decision to abdicate on Jan. 14—the 52nd anniversary of her accession to the throne—passing the crown to Prince Frederik, Princess Mary’s husband.

The decision would allow Princess Mary, a former real estate agent from Tasmania, to take the title of Queen.

Queen Margrethe II’s Abdication

The surprising announcement came after Queen Margrethe II had a successful back surgery.

“I have decided that now is the right time,” she said in her New Year statement. “Time is running out, and the ills are increasing. You can no longer overcome the same things as you once could.”

“The surgery naturally gave rise to thinking about the future - whether the time had come to leave the responsibility to the next generation.”

The Queen also thanked the support she had received as well as “the changing governments with whom the collaboration always has been rewarding, and thank you to the Parliament, who have always vested their confidence in me.”

She expressed hope that Frederik and Mary would receive similar warmth and trust, saying, “They deserve it! Denmark deserves it! I will conclude my New Year’s address in my usual manner: God bless Denmark, God bless you all.’’

No Formal Ceremony

The Danish accession will take place on Jan. 14 at Amalienborg Castle in Copenhagen with no formal coronation.

Born in Hobart, Tasmania, Mary Donaldson ascended as the Crown Princess of Denmark in 2004 when she married Crown Prince Frederik.

Prince Mary met her husband during the 2000 Olympics and moved to Copenhagen in 2002 before the couple tied the knot two years later.

The soon-to-be king and queen have four children: Prince Christian, 18, Princess Isabella, 16, and 12-year-old twins Prince Vincent, and Princess Josephine.

Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen praised the queen for her “lifelong dedication and tireless efforts for the kingdom.”

“Although the duty and position of regent has been handed down for more than 1,000 years, it is still difficult to understand that the time has now come for a change of throne,” Ms. Frederiksen said.

“Many of us have never known another regent. Queen Margrethe is the epitome of Denmark and throughout the years has put words and feelings into who we are as a people and as a nation.

Mr. Frederiksen also said people could look forward to “a new regent and a new royal couple” in the knowledge that “they are ready for the responsibility and the task.”

In a post to X (formally Twitter), Liberal MP Alex Hawke said, “Happy New Year everyone. 2024 is off to a great start with news an Australian will become Queen of Denmark.”