Queen Mary of Denmark has publicly expressed her profound gratitude for the overwhelming support received following the passing of her father, Professor John Dalgleish Donaldson. The Australian-born monarch shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, responding to the flood of condolences that arrived after the Danish royal house announced his death on Sunday, April 11.
A Heartfelt Royal Tribute
In her emotional post, Queen Mary wrote: 'My heartfelt thanks to the overwhelming number of messages, flowers and warm thoughts regarding my father's death. The enormous amount of empathy has touched us deeply and means more than words can say.' The message was shared in both English and Danish, reflecting her dual heritage and reaching her international following.
Timing of the Loss
The professor's death at age 84 in Tasmania comes just weeks after Queen Mary and her husband, King Frederik X, completed their first official state visit to Australia since ascending the throne in January 2024. The six-day tour, which ran from March 14 to March 19, concluded with Mary making a personal visit to her father, acknowledging his declining health in recent years.
Royal officials had previously confirmed that Professor Donaldson's frailty prevented him from traveling long distances, causing him to miss significant family milestones including Princess Isabella's confirmation and Mary's own coronation ceremony in Denmark. The queen herself addressed this reality earlier, stating: 'He is getting to be an elderly gentleman and he is not well enough to take the long trip back to Denmark for a confirmation, but he is with us in our hearts.'
Legacy of Professor John Donaldson
Born in Scotland on September 5, 1941, Professor Donaldson was a distinguished academic in applied mathematics. He relocated to Tasmania with his first wife, Henrietta Clark Horne, in November 1963, where they welcomed their daughter, Mary Elizabeth Donaldson, on February 5, 1972, in Hobart.
Despite his health challenges, he was able to attend his daughter's wedding in 2004, a cherished memory for the royal family. The family has announced plans for a private memorial service to be held at a later date, respecting their need for privacy during this period of mourning.
Global Outpouring of Support
The queen's Instagram post prompted an immediate response from followers worldwide, with many expressing their sympathy in the comments. One supporter wrote: 'Sending all our love from Down Under at this sad time,' while another noted: 'Lots of loving thoughts for this hard time for Queen Mary. So even harder when you now live so far away. Us Danes know that too well.'
In her initial statement last week, Queen Mary reflected on her father's enduring influence, saying: 'My heart is heavy, and my thoughts are grey. My beloved father has passed away. But I know that when the grief settles, the memories will brighten my day, and what will remain strongest is love and gratitude for everything he gave me and taught me.' She emphasized that his spirit would remain with her, providing comfort during this difficult transition.
