Denmark’s King Frederik and Queen Mary have begun their first Australian state tour as monarchs with a sunrise visit to Uluru, where they trekked to Muṯitjulu waterhole with traditional owners. The culturally significant site, one of few permanent water sources around the sandstone monolith, has hosted dignitaries including Princess Diana and Prince Charles in 1983.
The royal couple arrived in the red centre on Saturday for a six-day tour, their first to Australia since the king’s ascension in January 2024. At the Uluru-Kata Tjuṯa cultural centre, they received a guided tour and watched an Inma ceremonial dance, which connects the Aṉangu people to their ancestors. Queen Mary said she was “so much looking forward” to the visit and described the opportunity to experience Uluru and meet the Aṉangu as “a really great start”.
From Uluru, the royals travelled to Canberra on Sunday for official engagements including a 21-gun salute at Government House, a dinner hosted by Governor-General Sam Mostyn, and a meeting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his wife Jodie Haydon. They will later depart for Melbourne and Hobart.
The tour aims to strengthen trade ties between Denmark and Australia, with a focus on clean energy. The delegation includes the Danish climate minister and representatives from more than 50 Danish companies. Queen Mary, born Mary Donaldson in Hobart, met King Frederik at a Sydney pub during the 2000 Olympic Games. This is their fourth tour together, with the last official visit occurring 13 years ago.
The couple’s four children – Crown Prince Christian, Princess Isabella, Prince Vincent, and Princess Josephine – are not expected to join the tour. The royal couple are likely to spend time with Queen Mary’s relatives in Tasmania, including her elderly father John Donaldson.
