Queen Mary gives Aussie Olympic champs ‘royal hug’ in Paris
The Australian-born Queen made a surprise appearance to share her support for the Australian Olympic swimming team following their relay win.
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Queen Mary has sent Australia into a tizz with a touching move for our newest champions at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The Tasmanian-born Queen of Denmark showed her support for the relay swimmers after they snatched up a gold medal.
Mollie O’Callaghan, Ariarne Titmus, Lani Pallister and Brianna Throssell won the 4x200m freestyle relay race.
Queen Mary delivered a “royal hug” after the win and even opted to take selfies with the winners.
“A gold medal in Paris and a royal hug. Does it get any better!” Karl Stefanovic said on the Today show on Friday morning.
Both Queen Mary and Titmus were born in Tasmania.
“And at the end of the day, it’s two Tasmanians. Look at her taking photos on her phone, I love this, this is such a special moment,” Sarah Abo added.
Stefanovic also said “it’s not every day you get a Queen getting a selfie with you”.
“That is just stunning. We know Queen Mary’s presence has been felt. She was in the athletes village with Team Australia taking those selfies and hugging the athletes,” Abo said.
Queen Mary has been doing the rounds at the Olympics, having paid a visit to the Australian Olympic team before the opening ceremony.
The Australian team shared the special moment on Instagram.
“Royalty in the Village! Australian-born Queen Mary of Denmark joined athlete in the Olympic Village,” the post read.
She also stopped by for a chat with retired Olympic track cyclist Anna Meares.
“Once an Aussie always an Aussie … and the Danish Queen,” Meares wrote on Instagram.
“Great to see Queen Mary in the food court for lunch today.
“I was a bit nervous but she wished our athletes well and I did invite her to our allotment for an Aussie coffee.”
The royal met King Frederick during the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
The first official royal portraits of the pair were released in April.
Margrethe II previously announced her abdication on New Year’s Eve 2023, with Queen Mary and King Frederik officially succeeding to the throne on January 14 this year.
Originally published as Queen Mary gives Aussie Olympic champs ‘royal hug’ in Paris
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