Queen Mary and King Frederik of Denmark have concluded a historic state visit to Australia, marked by cheering crowds and a serious diplomatic message. The royal couple's first visit since Mary's accession to the throne saw them lay a wreath at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, where well-wishers lined the forecourt waving Danish flags.
Among the crowd was a woman wearing a shirt from the 2000 Sydney Olympics, where the then Prince Frederik met Hobart-born Mary at the Slip Inn. The couple walked the length of the fence line, shaking hands and posing for selfies. Lynton Martin, a Melbourne man in a royal red blazer and plastic crown, said he spoke to Mary about a potential Tasmanian AFL team.
However, the visit also carried a sobering message. Lars Aagaard, Denmark's climate minister, told Australian politicians: 'In times of uncertainty, trust is everything. We need to seek even deeper friendship among countries that share our values.' While not explicitly mentioned, the remarks were seen as a reference to geopolitical tensions involving the US, Iran and Greenland.
King Frederik, meeting Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, said Danes were 'very aware of how insecure the climate is in many ways for the coming generations' and expressed a desire to 'walk hand in hand towards the sunset' on climate action. The visit underscored the blend of ceremonial spectacle and real diplomacy inherent in royal tours.
