Princess Mary’s 50th birthday: Sister Jane Stephens says their mother would be ‘bursting with love and pride’
Princess Mary’s Hobart-based sister Jane has written a moving tribute to the Danish Royal, referring to their late mother.
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PRINCESS Mary’s sister Jane Stephens says their late mother Henrietta Donaldson would have been “bursting with love and pride” on the occasion of the Danish royal’s 50th birthday.
The Tasmania princess was born Mary Elizabeth Donaldson in Hobart on February 5, 1972 — the youngest of four children to Henrietta and John.
In an emotional tribute to her sister on the occasion of her birthday, Ms Stephens has spoken of her love and pride for her sister and the bittersweet celebrations – tempered only by separation caused by Covid.
In an exclusive statement for the Mercury Ms Stephens says her family would have loved to be in Denmark to join in the Princess’s celebrations.
“My family and I are very sad we are unable to be with Mary and the rest of the family to celebrate her 50th Birthday,” Ms Stephens writes.
“Like many families and friends around the world, we too have felt the pain of separation from the people we love and would have relished this excuse to be reunited.
“I am enormously proud of my sister. Her passion and drive has brought causes that are close to her heart into the spotlight which I’m sure will make a difference in our world.”
An experienced pharmacist who is completing a PhD at the University of Tasmania, Ms Stephens lives in Hobart and has always been close to youngest sister. They both attended Taroona High School and later Hobart College and the University of Tasmania.
Their mother died in 1997 from complications following heart surgery, when Mary was 25.
Ms Stephens, who has hosted the Danish Royals on several visits to Hobart, paid tribute to Mary’s strong commitment to family.
“I love that, although she has many commitments, there is always time for family and fun. “Mary has embraced her role as Crown Princess with dignity and grace, earning the admiration and respect of people all over the world. Our mother would have been bursting with love and pride.
“Happy birthday to my wonderful sister, who I look forward to celebrating with face-to-face hopefully sometime this year,” Ms Stephens writes.
Her tribute came as celebrations continue in Denmark to celebrate Mary’s birthday.
This week the Princess has planted a gum tree to mark an expansion of the Australian exhibit at Copenhagen Zoo which now includes Mary’s Australian Garden.
On Thursday the Princess and her family visited National History Museum at Frederiksborg Castle in Hillerød where a new portrait of Mary was unveiled.
The portrait was painted by resident Spanish-born artist Jesús Herrera Martínez and during the opening of the special exhibition “H.K.H. Crown Princess Mary 1972-2022 ” to mark Mary; s birthday. Princess Mary was joined by Crown Prince Frederik as well as their children Princess Isabella, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine.
The portrait tells the story of the Crown Princess by including elements from the study as well as fictional symbols that refer to her Australian background – among other things in the form of shadow games on the wall, where you see gum tree.
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Originally published as Princess Mary’s 50th birthday: Sister Jane Stephens says their mother would be ‘bursting with love and pride’
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