‘s Crown Princess Mary will become queen of Denmark on January 14 – and there were some subtle signs that the popular royal was about to become ‘s first ever monarch.
Queen Margarethe II used her annual New Year’s Eve speech on Sunday to announce she would be abdicating the throne, leaving Prince Frederik, 55, as her successor and Mary, 51, as Queen consort.
The monarch, 83, famed for her chain-smoking as well as her flamboyant sense of style, had been the longest-serving monarch in Europe following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022.
This may have been why Mary took a low-key and almost secret holiday to and New Zealand with her family in early December.
On December 6, Mary touched down in with her twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, both 12, before climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge together.
The trip was also used to signal that Mary and Frederik were very much united, after rumours of the prince’s alleged ‘affair’ with Mexican socialite Genoveva Casanova rocking the royal family.
Crown Princess Mary of Denmark will be the next Danish queen and there were some subtle tip-offs the popular royal’s role was about to change
Princess Mary then look a private jet to Queensland, where she was reunited with Frederik, and Princess Isabella, 16, for a much needed escape from the spotlight.
Frederik had been at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai where he attended the opening of the SIDS: A Just and Equitable Energy Transition Towards a Climate-Resilient Future Conference, spoke at How to Decarbonize the Hard-to-abate Sectors, and attended a Danish reception.
Mary’s previous visit Down Under was in 2023 for her first official engagement in a decade.
However, this time the Tasmanian-born royal kept things personal and made sure to catch up with family and friends away from prying eyes.
Mary was snapped shedding a tear saying goodbye to friends on the tarmac at Queenstown airport
The personal visit was the last bit of downtime before she takes the throne in two week’s time.
On December 20 upon her return to Denmark, Mary shared a message on the Mary Foundation website and Instagram page hinting at her future ‘success’ and big things to come.
The letter was about loneliness and the need for positive human connection during the festive season but offered hints towards something bigger.
Leading up to the announcement, Mary was spotted on holiday in and New Zealand with her family on her most low-key visit Down Under
She added: ‘And at the same time, so much has happened that it is impossible to put it all into words.’
‘We close 2023 soon and go on Christmas holidays with a gratitude for all that we humans can do when we do it together. We need each other if we are to succeed.’
A gorgeous picture of the royal in the snow was posted alongside the powerful message.
She wore a purple jacket beneath a warm woollen wrap and gave a soft smile toward the camera.
In November rumours swirled about an alleged ‘affair’ between Prince Frederik and Mexican socialite Genoveva Casanova after they were photographed on a night out in Spain.
While the allegations could have been enough to end many relationships Mary and Frederik took a ‘business as normal’ attitude during their royal engagements.
The pair retained a united front so as to appear as strong contenders for future king and queen.
In November rumours swirled about an alleged ‘affair’ between Prince Frederik and Genoveva Casanova but he and Mary kept a united front while stepping out on official engagements
On Christmas Eve, Mary and Frederik were seen holding hands as they entered Aarhus Cathedral for a Christmas Eve church service.
The royal couple were all smiles as they stepped out alongside Prince Christian, 18, Princess Isabella Prince Vincent, and Princess Josephine before celebrating Christmas Day at Marselisborg Castle with Queen Margrethe.
The Danish royals were rocked by photos published in October that showed Prince Frederik out for the evening in Madrid with the 47-year-old socialite.
As Spanish magazine Lecturas published the photos and alleged the pair had spent the evening at a bodega in the Spanish capital where they watched flamenco dancing and dined into the early hours, Genoveva hit back at ‘malicious’ rumours she was romantically involved with the heir to the Danish throne.
Since the photos emerged Princess Mary has remained tight-lipped about her husband’s dinner with the socialite.
READ MORE: Danish royal family breaks their silence on Prince Frederik’s ‘affair’ scandal – as the palace is slammed by furious ‘fans’ online
