King Frederik gushes over Queen Mary in unexpected new book

Just days into his reign, the Danish monarch has released an unexpected new book praising his Aussie-born wife, as rumours of an affair swirl.

King Frederik has gushed over his Australian-born wife and praised the fact they’ve “managed to stay together” in an unexpected new book, published just days into his reign.

The 55-year-old Danish monarch – who ascended the throne alongside Queen Mary on Sunday following his mother’s abdication – took part in a series of interviews about his life for The King’s Word, amid allegations of infidelity within their marriage.

“I love marriage, my wife, our children and the whole happy base that arises for the people who manage to stay together and persevere,” the King said in the biography, which was written in collaboration with author Jens Anderson.

The King and Queen with their four kids during Sunday’s proclamation. Picture: Thomas Traasdahl/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP

The royal had a well-publicised reputation as a playboy prior to meeting Mary, now 51, but added that their relationship had finally made him content.

“I remember how my mother, Queen Margrethe, said in her wedding speech in 2004 that I had found peace and joy with Mary,” Frederik said.

He also spoke candidly about his desire for a normal life and the dread he felt as the burden of being heir to the throne loomed large in his formative years, explaining that he had “just wanted to be like all other boys of my age.”

“I remember my 18th birthday as something similar to the end of the world. It was the feeling that now everything that was fun and exciting was coming to an end,” he said.

“Fortunately, it didn’t.”

The book was published just days after the couple became King and Queen. Picture: Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP

Frederik planted a kiss on his wife after the ascension was finalised. Picture: Bo Amstrup/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP

Frederik met then-Mary Donaldson in Sydney during the 2000 Olympics and the couple tied the knot in a lavish royal wedding in Denmark in 2004.

They share four children: Prince Christian, 18, Princess Isabella, 16, and 12-year-old twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine.

However, the perception of their fairytale union has been damaged in recent months amid frenzied speculation of an affair.

It was sparked by images published in Spanish magazine Lecturas in November, showing the then-Crown Prince on a night out in Madrid with Mexican socialite Genoveva Casanova, 47.

As rumours swirled, the publication printed further details of the pair’s evening, claiming they took in a Picasso exhibition before walking around a park and dining at a local restaurant.

The magazine then alleged that Frederik and Ms Casanova both went to her apartment building separately, and re-emerged two hours later.

Mexican socialite Genoveva Casanova. Picture: Instagram

While the Palace refused to weigh in on the allegations, pointing out that it “never comments on rumours”, Ms Casanova released a strongly-worded statement.

“I flatly deny the statements that suggest a romantic relationship between Prince Frederick and me,” she told Hola.

“Any statement of this type is not only completely untrue but also distorts the facts in a malicious manner.”

Just a few months later, Frederik’s mother, Queen Margrethe II, announced her intention to abdicate after 52 years on the throne.

Meanwhile, the couple has put on a united front throughout the challenging period, with Frederik even publicly kissing Mary on the Christiansborg Palace balcony as they were proclaimed King and Queen on Sunday.