On December 31, 2023, in her New Year’s Eve address, Queen Margrethe announced she was abdicating after 52 years on the throne.
Set to take over from January 14, 2024 are the Queen’s son, Crown Prince Frederik and his wife, Australian-born Crown Princess Mary.
However, unlike King Charles and Queen Camilla’s lavish ceremony that took place in May 2023, Prince Frederik and Princess Mary will not have a coronation.
Instead, the royal couple will partake in a much shorter, more modest ceremony called a proclamation.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about it…
When is Prince Frederik and Princess Mary’s coronation?
The crowning will take place on January 14, 2024.
Technically, Frederik and Mary aren’t having a coronation; according to royal historian Marlene Koenig, the Danish sovereign hasn’t been welcomed with a coronation since 1840.
Instead, the couple will arrive at Christiansborg Palace and make a brief proclamation accepting their new roles and duties.
Then Frederik and Mary will head back to their official residence in Amalienborg to appear on the balcony with their four children, Prince Christian, Princess Isabella, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine.
Where can I watch Princess Mary’s coronation in Australia?
Considering that Mary was born and bred in Australia, it’s understandable that Aussies will want to watch Mary become Queen Consort.
Whilst the proclamation won’t be televised, you can read The Weekly’s minute by minute coverage of the historic event.
And if you want to celebrate Prince Frederik and Princess Mary’s ‘coronation’ somewhere other than at home, the Slip Inn – the Sydney pub where the royal couple first met – will be holding a special event on January 14.
The pub will fly Danish flags, decorate the venue with Denmark’s national flower, daisies, and offer a special menu including hotdogs and a Scandinavian inspired cocktail called ‘There’s Something About Mary.’
How did Princess Mary of Denmark meet the prince?
The story of how Mary and Frederik met sounds like something out of a fairytale or a rom-com but it really happened!
In 2000, Mary Donaldson was a 28-year-old Australian woman working as an advertising executive.
One night, during the Olympic games, Mary and some friends were enjoying themselves at the aforementioned Sydney pub the Slip Inn.
While there she met Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark – although he apparently introduced himself to her as ‘Fred’ – and her life dramatically changed.
The couple began dating after the serendipitous encounter, and when their relationship went public, it made headlines around the world and Mary was catapulted to fame.
In 2004, Mary and Frederik tied the knot, and Mary – a ‘commoner’ who was born in Tasmania – became Crown Princess Mary of Denmark. However, Mary’s Tasmanian roots have not been forgotten in her transition to Queen Consort. It was reported that the Tasmanian government will be gifting the soon-to-be Queen Mary and King Frederik a hand-made table made from local Tasmanian materials.
Acting Premier Michael Ferguson also added that a donation will be made to a charity Princess Mary is heavily involved with.
“In honour of the Crown Princess’ international patronage, I am proud to announce Tasmania will donate $10,000 to the Alannah and Madeline Foundation,” he said.
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