Queen Mary of Denmark appeared ‘relieved and tired’ in her celebratory carriage ride following the abdication of Queen Margrethe on Sunday, a body language expert has claimed.
Royal watchers expressed concern the new queen was ‘sad’ and ‘glum’ while waving at well-wishers, with some pointing out that she didn’t hold the hand of her husband King Frederik during the procession in Copenhagen.
But body language professional Dr Louise Mahler said the n royal looks confident in her decision to step up as queen and while the ‘smile and energy have gone’ the 51-year-old seems ‘relaxed and possibly tired, which is possibly fair enough!’.
‘I don’t see slumped,’ she told FEMAIL. ‘Apparently those carriages are hideously uncomfortable.’
The newly crowned pair marked their rise to the throne with a public kiss on the balcony of Christiansborg Palace, much to the delight of the 100,000 strong crowd.
While they may have appeared loved up, there has been speculation over the couple’s ‘fairytale romance’ in recent weeks after Frederik was pictured on a night out with Mexican socialite Genoveva Casanova. Genoveva, 47, denied any kind of romantic relationship between herself and the royal.
Queen Mary of Denmark appeared ‘relieved and tired’ in her celebratory carriage ride following the abdication of Queen Margrethe on Sunday, a body language expert has claimed
Body language professional Dr Louise Mahler said the n royal looks confident in her decision to step up as queen and while the ‘smile and energy have gone’ the 51-year-old seems ‘relaxed and possibly tired ‘
The crowd let out a huge cheer to welcome their new king, 55-year-old Frederik, to the balcony before screaming even louder when his wife appeared.
The couple’s children were then invited onto the balcony, delighting the crowd even further.
Body language experts have also said the couple didn’t seem ‘spontaneous’ in their public displays of affection.
After he was declared King by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, King Frederik X was joined by his wife Mary and their four children: Christian, Isabella, Vincent and Josephine.
In one moment, Frederik turned to kiss Mary – to loud applause from the crowds gathered below the Christiansborg Castle balcony.
But body language expert Adrianne Carter told FEMAIL that the kiss was clearly something Frederik had planned, rather than something spontaneous.
She said: ‘Frederik gives Mary a wink, which means we’re in this together.
‘He pulls her in for a kiss, which he tries to do a few times before it actually happens.
The new King and Queen shared a kiss shortly after Frederik succeeded the throne, in the wake of Queen Margrethe II’s abdication which was formalised in Copenhagen today
After he was declared King by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, King Frederik X was joined by his wife Mary and their four children: Christian, Isabella, Vincent and Josephine
In one moment, Frederik turned to kiss Mary – to loud applause from the crowds gathered below the Christiansborg Castle balcony
‘This is something he has planned, rather than something spontaneous.’
Adrianne also notes that when Frederik tries to kiss Mary on the side of the forehead, she ‘doesn’t react in any way; she just accepts’.
The body language expert mused whether Frederik is ‘still in the dog house’ after rumours of an alleged affair with Mexican socialite Genoveva Casanova.
Adrianne said: ‘We see Frederik pull in Mary and plant a kiss on the side of her forehead. She doesn’t react in any way; she just accepts.
‘Is Frederik still in the doghouse I wonder?’
Rumours of an affair circulated late last year, after the now King was spotted on a night out with Genoveva in Madrid.
Body language expert Adrianne Carter told FEMAIL that the kiss was clearly something Frederik had planned, rather than something spontaneous
The body language expert mused whether Frederik is ‘still in the dog house’ after rumours of an alleged affair with Mexican socialite Genoveva Casanova
Rumours of an affair circulated late last year, after the now King was spotted on a night out with Genoveva in Madrid
The Mexican socialite was later forced to deny what she labelled ‘malicious’ rumours after photos surfaced of herself with the Crown Prince in the Spanish capital.
Spanish magazine Lecturas reported they had dined together and watched Flamenco dancing until 1am.
Mary has remained tight-lipped about her husband’s dinner with the socialite, and the royal couple have put on a united display in a number of public appearances.
However, speculation has mounted that Queen Margrethe’s decision to abdicate may have been a bid to keep Frederik’s wife of 19 years on side.
Mary is incredibly popular with the Danish people, and was labelled the real ‘power behind the throne’ and ‘king Mary’ last week, according to a royal author.
Trine Villemann also told Hello! that the n mother-of-four, 51, is a ‘much better communicator and public speaker’ than her husband, Crown Prince Frederik.
The pair marked their rise to the throne with a public kiss on the balcony of Christiansborg Palace – much to the delight of the 100,000 strong crowd
Ahead of Margrethe’s daughter-in-law becoming Queen, Danish royal author Trine said: ‘Mary truly is the power behind the throne and will be for decades to come – there’s no doubt about that.
‘Frederik is a lovely guy and he’s very popular, but Mary is a much better communicator and public speaker. She has great skill and enormous talent, and people in Demark are calling her ‘King Mary’.
‘Her approval ratings are higher than those of the rest of the royals, too… As we say in Denmark: Long live King Mary!’
Ahead of Margarethe’s shock announcement, the family headed for a pre-Christmas break to Mary’s native , as well as visiting New Zealand.
Before the family’s flight from New Zealand Princess Mary shared a cryptic post about loneliness and the need for positive human connection ahead of Christmas.
In the letter posted on the Mary Foundation website, the future queen reflected on the past year – and said she felt it was shorter than previous years.
‘And at the same time, so much has happened that it is impossible to put it all into words,’ she continued.
An excerpt shared on the official Instagram of the Danish Royal House had some speculating the princess was using her foundation to hint at the affair rumours.
‘We need each other if we are to succeed.’ And that’s not only true in the working world and for those of us who are working to combat social isolation,’ it read.
‘This is true for all of us. Humans need humans.’
The post and powerful words were pictured alongside a gorgeous picture of the royal in the snow.
She wore a purple jacket beneath a warm woolen wrap and gave a soft smile toward the camera.
Princess Mary has shared a cryptic post about loneliness and the need for positive human connection ahead of Christmas
Her trip came after rumours of the prince having an affair with Mexican socialite Genoveva Casanova rocked the Danish Royal Household
‘The Danish royal family are lucky to have you. I hope your husband realises he has embarrassed you and his children immeasurably. You will make a fine queen,’ one fan commented.
Another wrote: ‘I think this is a sad year for Mary, her husband’s (alleged) betrayal and it’s public. What a brave woman, she can handle anything. I just adore her.’
Some came to the defence of the royals calling for people to stop talking about the alleged affair.
There has been speculation that Queen Margrethe’s abdication may have been driven to save the marriage of her son and Princess Mary in the wake of the alleged ‘affair’.
Ms Casanova has denied allegations of any relationship with Frederik.
Royal commentator Phil Dampier told The Telegraph: ‘It’s possible that the Queen took this action because she would have been terrified of the marriage breaking up and the royal family losing Mary. It would have caused major problems.
‘The Queen has always seen Mary as a tremendous asset.’
Meet the world’s first Aussie-born queen: How Princess Mary worked as an advertising executive before meeting her future husband in a Sydney pub – with no idea he was Denmark’s heir to the throne
Crown Princess Mary will become the world’s first n-born queen when her mother-in-law abdicates the Danish throne in two weeks time.
Margrethe II caused shock when she announced in a speech on New Year’s Eve that she would be stepping down as monarch after 52 years.
She will be succeeded by her son, Crown Prince Frederik, on January 14.
It means his wife Mary, whom he first met at a pub in Sydney, will soon become the world’s first n-born queen.
The 51-year-old was working as an advertising executive when she first met Frederik in a packed city pub 23 years ago and had no idea the handsome European tourist she had been chatting to for hours was actually the future king of Denmark.
Now, married for 19 years and proud parents to four children, Mary has won her adopted country over by her dedication to royal duty and her fluency in the language.
Gossip magazines in both Denmark and have published speculation about the state of the royal couple’s marriage over the years, but there is nothing concrete to suggest they are anything but happily married.
The couple’s relationship was most recently scrutinised after photographs emerged of Frederik, 55, enjoying a night out with Mexican socialite Genoveva Casanova in Madrid in October. But despite rumours of an alleged ‘affair’, Frederik and Mary made a show of unity as they headed into Aarhus cathedral on Christmas Eve.
Crown Princess Mary, pictured in Milan in April this year, will soon become the world’s first n-born queen
Then: A fresh-faced Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark drapes his arm around Tasmanian advertising executive Mary Donaldson in a photo believed to be taken shortly after their first meeting in 2000
Mary, 51, was working as an advertising executive when she first met Frederik in a packed city pub 23 years ago and had no idea the handsome European tourist she had been chatting to for hours was actually the future king of Denmark. Frederik and Mary are pictured together at Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen, Denmark, on November 6, 2023
Crown Princess Mary of Denmark and Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark arrive for a State Banquet at Christiansborg Castle in Copenhagen on November 6, 2023
Mary Donaldson was 28 years old when she met Frederik in the Slip Inn in Sydney 23 years ago.
After the pub encounter, then 32-year-old Fred – who was in to support Denmark’s sailing team at the 2000 Olympics – asked Mary for her phone number and a romance blossomed.
‘The first time we met we shook hands. 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”?’ Mary revealed in an interview about meeting the heir to the Danish throne.
They maintained a long-distance relationship for a year, with Frederik making secret trips Down Under before Mary moved to Denmark to study Danish language at Copenhagen’s Studieskolen in 2001.
In early 2003, Frederik’s mother Queen Margrethe publicly acknowledged the relationship and the couple announced their engagement at Amalienborg Castle later that year on October 8.
Frederik and Mary married on May 14, 2004 at Copenhagen Cathedral, with the newly minted Crown Princess opting for a beautiful gown by Danish designer Uffer Frank and a veil first used by Crown Princess Margaret of Sweden in 1905.
In a nod to her heritage, Mary carried a bouquet of n snow gum eucalyptus interspersed with blooms from the Palace garden.
Princess Mary shows off her engagement ring to the media during a press conference at Fredensborg Castle October 8, 2003
Frederik and Mary married on May 14, 2004 at Copenhagen Cathedral, with the newly minted Crown Princess opting for a beautiful gown by Danish designer Uffer Frank and a veil first used by Crown Princess Margaret of Sweden in 1905
In a nod to her heritage, Mary carried a bouquet of n snow gum eucalyptus interspersed with blooms from the Palace garden
The couple are spotted together at the Melbourne Cup in 2002, months before Frederik’s mother Queen Margrethe publicly acknowledged their relationship
Frederik and Mary make their first official appearance together at the Tasmania Yacht Club ahead of the Dragon Boat World Championship on January 19, 2003
At the altar, Frederik announced: ‘From today, Mary is mine and I am hers. I love her, and I will protect her with all my love.’
Their first child, Prince Christian Valdemar Henri John, was born October 15, 2005; Princess Isabella Henrietta Ingrid Margrethe followed on April 21, 2007.
Almost four years later Mary and Frederik welcomed twins, Princess Josephine Sophia Ivalo Mathilda and Prince Vincent Frederik Minik Alexander at the Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen on January 8, 2011.
Standing on the hospital steps, a beaming Frederik declared: ‘It’s a miracle.’
The family has returned to Mary’s native on many occasions, visiting famous landmarks in Sydney, Canberra and the Northern Territory and even spending Christmas Down Under.
The sporting event which brought them together continues to hold a special place in their hearts, with the couple attending the Olympics in Athens in 2004, Beijing in 2008, Vancouver in 2010, London in 2012 and Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
In 2009, Frederik was appointed to the International Olympic Committee – a role he has had ever since.
In October 2019, Mary was named regent in a historic move by Queen Margrethe. The title gave the Princess power to perform duties as head of state when the 80-year-old monarch is overseas or otherwise engaged.
Between raising her children and appearing at diplomatic events, Mary has worked tirelessly to prove her commitment to charity, becoming a patron of more than 25 international organisations since her marriage to Frederik in 2004.
Patronages include the World Health Organisation Regional Office for Europe and the United Nations Population Fund, where she supports their work to promote maternal health in more than 150 developing nations.
In 2007, the Princess launched The Mary Foundation, a charity focused on stamping out domestic violence, bullying and loneliness.
Married for 19 years and proud parents to four children (pictured together), the famously down-to-earth royals are adored by millions, with Mary poised to become the world’s first n-born queen
Between raising her children and appearing at diplomatic events, Mary (pictured with her husband) has worked tirelessly to prove her commitment to charity, becoming a patron of more than 25 international organisations since her marriage to Frederik in 2004
Crown Princess Mary of Denmark (left) has been given the right to act as regent in place of her mother-in-law Queen Margrethe (right) when the monarch is otherwise engaged
Mary will soon become Queen of Denmark when her husband Frederik takes the crown.
Queen Margrethe announced during her traditional New Year’s Eve speech that she will abdicate on January 14 next year after 52 years on the throne.
The monarch, famed for her chain-smoking as well as her flamboyant sense of style, will be succeeded by her eldest son Crown Prince Frederik.
The 83-year-old queen, who took over the throne in 1972, is the longest-serving monarch in Europe following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022.
In February, she underwent a successful back surgery.
‘The surgery naturally gave rise to thinking about the future – whether the time had come to leave the responsibility to the next generation,’ she said in her speech.
‘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.
‘I leave the throne to my son, Crown Prince Frederik.’
In her broadcast today, Queen Margrethe II stated: ‘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.’
Margrethe II was the eldest of the three daughters of King Frederik IX of Denmark, and succeeded him to the throne in 1972
Queen Margrethe II (centre) pictured with her son Crown Prince Frederik (left), daughter-in-law, Crown Princess Mary (right) and their four children Prince Christian, Princess Isabella, and twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine
Crown Prince Frederik reaches out an arm towards his wife during an engagement on November 8, days after a Spanish magazine pictured him on a night out with Mexican socialite Genoveva Casanova
News of her abdication comes just months after the Danish Royal Family has been shaken by rumours of an alleged ‘affair’ between Frederik and Mexican socialite Genoveva Casanova.
Photos published by Spanish magazine Lecturas in October that showed Prince Frederik out for the evening in Madrid with the 47-year-old socialite.
The newspaper 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.
Since the photos emerged Mary has remained tight-lipped about her husband’s dinner with the socialite, and the pair have adopted a ‘business as normal’ attitude during public appearances.
Days before Christmas, the mum-of-four shared a cryptic post about loneliness and the need for positive human connection during the festive season.
The post came after the Princess reconnected with Frederik and three of their children in New Zealand during an unofficial getaway.
In the letter which was posted on the Mary Foundation website the future queen reflects on the past year – and says she felt it was shorter than previous years.
‘And at the same time, so much has happened that it is impossible to put it all into words,’ she continued.
An excerpt posted on the official Instagram of the Danish Royal House had some speculating the princess was using her foundation to hint at the ‘affair’ rumours.
‘We need each other if we are to succeed.’ And that’s not only true in the working world and for those of us who are working to combat social isolation,’ it read.
‘This is true for all of us. Humans need humans.’
The post and powerful words were pictured alongside a gorgeous picture of the royal in the snow.
Frederik and Mary were also spotted holding hands at a Christmas Eve church service at Marselisborg Castle with their four children Prince Christian, 18, Princess Isabella, 16, Prince Vincent, and Princess Josephine, both 12.
Crown Princess Mary of Denmark has been spotted holding hands with husband Prince Frederik while attending a Christmas Eve church service with their four children
Despite swirling rumours of the Prince’s alleged ‘affair’ that rocked the family, Mary and Frederik appeared loved up as they headed into Aarhus cathedral on Sunday, December 24
Mary looked stylish in a $1,400 floral Saloni maxi dress she paired with Aquazzura’s knee-high suede Gainsbourg 85 Boots, a grey soft drop coat and burgundy gloves on December 24
The royal couple were all smiles as they stepped out alongside Prince Christian, 18, Princess Isabella, 16, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, both 12
Queen Margrethe (right) also attended the Christmas Eve service as well as Frederik’s brother Prince Joachim, his wife Princess Marie and their children Count Henrik and Countess Athena.
Pictured from left on Christmas Eve: Prince Christian, Princess Josephine and Princess Isabella
The popular royal family celebrated Christmas day at Marselisborg Castle with Frederik’s mother Queen Margrethe II of Denmark. They are pictured on December 24 this year
According, according to Hola!, Frederik’s private trip to Spain was to enjoy art exhibitions, watch flamenco and visit new restaurants.
It is believed that he had planned to attend the Picasso exhibition with a mutual friend he shares with Genoveva – however at the last minute, the friend was unable to go and asked Genoveva to attend in his place.
After visiting the exhibition at the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum, the pair walked through El Retiro Park, before heading to El Corral de la Morería for dinner.
Genoveva has since hit back at ‘malicious’ rumours she was romantically involved with the heir to the Danish throne.
A statement from the socialite said: ‘I categorically deny the statements that suggest a romantic relationship between Prince Frederick and me.’
She added: ‘Any statement of this type not only completely lacks the truth but also misrepresents the facts in a malicious manner.
‘This is already in the hands of my lawyers, who will take care of the pertinent steps to protect my right to honour, truth and privacy.’
An emotional King Frederik promised to be a modern monarch ‘of tomorrow’ as he asked his ‘beloved wife’ and family for support during a new reign.
In his first public speech after being proclaimed King, the father-of-four, 55, as per a translation by royal blogger Gert’s Royals, said: ‘My mother, Her Majesty Queen Margrethe the 2nd, has ruled Denmark for 52 years. For half a century, she has followed the times with our common heritage as a starting point.
‘She will always be remembered as a Monarch beyond the ordinary. Like few, my mother has managed to be at one with her kingdom. Today, the throne passes on.
It’s the latest drama for the Danish royal, which follows Margrethe sparking a public rift with Joachim after stripping his four children of their royal titles.
She subsequently apologised about the timing of the announcement but stood by the edict.
Joachim had spoken out against his mother’s decision in the days that followed – claiming that his children born from Joachim’s first marriage to Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg – and Henrik and Athena had been ‘harmed’ in the process.
While Mary may have appeared sad, King Frederik was in his element on the carriage ride
The couple waved to crowds form the balcondy
They were later joined by their four children to greet adoring well-wishers
Months later, the sixth-in-line to the throne admitted that ‘communication was missing’ within the Royal Family in the lead-up to the shock announcement.
Joachim told local news outlet B.T.: ‘There is a lot to work on. Communication was what was missing. Now we have met and we are on the right track.’
Shortly after his children were stripped of his titles, Joachim claimed that he had only been given five days’ notice before the news was made public.
Following the Queen’s announcement, Joachim spoke to Danish publication Ekstra Bladet outside the Danish Embassy in Paris, where he lives with his French-born wife Princess Marie and his two youngest children, and said his four children had been ‘hurt’ by their grandmother’s decision.
‘I was given five days’ notice to tell them. In May, I was presented with a plan which, by and large, was that when the children each turned 25, it would happen. Now I had only five days to tell them. Athena turns 11 in January,’ he clarified at the time.
Meanwhile, his ex-wife Alexandra said that her sons, Nikolai and Felix, had been left feeling ‘ostracised’ from the institution and the decision had come like a ‘bolt out of the blue’.
The Royal Household released a further statement, saying: ‘As the Queen stated yesterday, the decision has been a long time coming.
‘We understand that there are many emotions at stake at the moment, but we hope that the Queen’s wish to future-proof the Royal Household will be respected.’