How to become a queen: Princess Mary’s journey to the crown
Crown Princess Mary has had to undergo intensive training to become the next queen of Denmark - including military training.
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Before she was Crown Princess Mary, Mary Donaldson was a law student and real estate agent from Tasmania.
Then one day she met a Prince in a pub and now two decades later she will become Queen of Denmark.
The news comes after Queen Margrethe II’s surprise abdication of the Danish throne earlier this week.
On January 14, Crown Prince Frederick will become the new king of Denmark – making Mary Queen.
How does a young woman from Tassie become the first Australian-born queen in one of the world’s oldest monarchies? Not without years of royal training. Here’s what it takes to be a Queen.
Meet a prince
It’s been an unconventional journey from Australia’s middle class to European royalty for Princess Mary.
In 2000, the then 28-year old met the future Danish king at the Slip Inn pub in Sydney. The Prince was visiting Australia for the Summer Olympics and the pair kept in touch throughout his stay. Their relationship quickly blossomed and Mary’s journey to royalty began.
What followed was a whirlwind romance that was thrust into the public eye, and before she knew it Mary Donaldson underwent an extensive training process to become a Princess.
But being a Princess – and in turn a future Queen – takes more than just looking the part.
Walk the talk – royal etiquette
Mary’s training to become a Danish Princess began long before she moved to Copenhagen. Just weeks after meeting Prince Frederick in Sydney, she was taught how to walk, shake hands and pose for the camera.
Enrolling in a six-week course at Starquest Studios in Double Bay, Donaldson worked with style consultant and actor Teresa Page.
The training included how to relate to other people, how to walk into a room, how to socialise and how to perform in front of the camera. It was a transformation aimed at boosting her confidence and social graces.
Learn the language
After moving to Copenhagen in 2005, Princess Mary received lessons in the Danish language. Notoriously hard to learn due to its eclectic-sounding consonants and plethora of vowels, she spent months enduring intensive lessons.
Learn the culture
Princess Mary also had to be schooled in Danish society, politics and history. Through his role as chief-of-court, Per Thornit was tasked with Mary’s transition into Danish royalty.
At the time of the Crown couple’s engagement in 2005, Thornit chaperoned Mary to meetings with the Prime Minister, key public servants and other important leaders.
He played an instrumental role in her understanding of Danish political life and prepared Mary for the finer points of being a princess, including how to accept a bouquet in public and when to discreetly pass it on.
Adopt a royal style
Before their engagement was announced, Mary’s appearance drew the attention of Danish etiquette experts who criticised her fashion sense.
In 2022, she told the Financial Times that she was quickly brought up to speed on the rules and expectations when it came to attending royal events, particularly when it came to dressing.
She said: “Very early on, it was clear that there were expectations about what you wore and how you dressed appropriately to an event. That was pretty daunting for me. I was a T-shirt-and-shorts girl, known to go barefoot.”
Danish stylist Anja Camilla Alajdi worked closely with Mary to help her become the fashion icon she is today. Throughout the years, the pair attended fashion shows and refined Mary’s wardrobe to include pieces from some of the most exclusive fashion houses.
Undergo military training
In 2008 the Australian-born royal joined the Danish Home Guard, and was later promoted to First Lieutenant in September 2015.
The military training included learning how to use a weapon, sleeping outdoors in a bivouac as well as assisting the police in search and rescue operations and knowledge about first aid.
Be an humanitarian
Being a Queen means taking an active part in trying to make the lives of others better. As well as being an excellent mother to Prince Christian, Princess Isabella, and twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, Mary is a patron of a number of organisations and foundations.
Most notable is The Mary Foundation which was recently awarded for their ongoing efforts to prevent bullying and ensure children’s wellbeing in football clubs across Denmark.
Hustle like a Queen
With the historic coronation around the corner, the training to become Queen doesn’t stop. Royal insiders have said that those within Amelienborg Palace are increasingly turning to Prince Frederik and Princess Mary for public appearances and regal responsibilities.
“Princess Mary will become Queen but I think it is fair to say that she will also become King,” royal author and journalist, Trine Villemann, told News Corp in 2018.
“There is absolutely no doubt that Mary rules the roost at Amalienborg (palace).”
The royal pair will take part in a brief proclamation ceremony at Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen, where they will accept their new roles as King and Queen of Denmark.
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