Princess Mary can now act on behalf of Queen of Denmark

The Tasmanian-born princess is one step closer to becoming Queen of Denmark after being made an official regent this week.

Princess Mary has been made an official regent in Denmark, meaning she can now act on behalf of the country’s Queen.

The Tasmanian-born princess, who married Crown Prince Frederick after meeting him in a pub in Sydney during the 2000 Olympic Games, will become queen when her husband ascends the throne.

But until now, only he and his younger brother, Prince Joachim, and aunt, Princess Benedikte, could act on behalf of Queen Margrethe II.

“As regent, the Crown Princess will, from now on, be able to attend to the Queen’s duties as head of state when the Queen and the Crown Prince are prevented from doing so, for example during a stay abroad,” a statement released by the royal family said.

A photo posted on Instagram showed Princess Mary, dressed elegantly in red, signing the official documentation alongside Prince Frederick, Queen Margrethe and the Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen.

“The Crown Princess signed the necessary declaration about acting in conformity with the constitution in the presence of the Queen, his royal highness the Crown Prince and the government,” the royal family said.

Mary and Frederik have four children together. Picture: Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Images

Queen Margrethe, 79, has reigned over Denmark for 49 years since the death of her father King Frederick IX in 1972. She was the country’s first female sovereign.

As her firstborn son, Prince Frederick will ascend the throne following her death or abdication. His father, Prince Henrik, died at the age of 83 after a battle with Alzheimer’s in February last year.

Mary was known as Prince Frederick’s “Australian girlfriend”. Picture: AFP/SCANPIX/KELD NAVNTOFT

The couple were married in 2004. Picture: AFP PHOTO/ODD ANDERSEN

Mary and Frederick met at Sydney’s Slip Inn bar while she was working as a marketing executive and living in a rented terrace in Paddington. The then 28-year-old had no idea she had just met a royal, as he’d only introduced himself as ‘Fred’.

After three years of dating, the couple were engaged and then married in a lavish ceremony at Copenhagen Cathedral on May 14, 2004.

They now have four children together, Prince Christian, 13, Princess Isabella, 12, and twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, 8.

Prince Frederick will become King of Denmark following his mother’s death or abdication. Picture: Schiller Graphics/Getty Images

Queen Margrethe has reigned over Denmark for 49 years. Picture: Alexander Koerner/Getty Images

At Prince Frederick’s 50th birthday dinner last year, Mary revealed that her husband often laughed at his own jokes and was a dedicated ‘mamil’ — which stands for middle-aged men in Lycra.

“Mamil stands for a middle-aged man in Lycra who rides expensive racing bicycles wearing professional style body-hugging jerseys and shorts,” she said.

“Opinions vary over whether Lycra and men in their 40s go together. But darling, you still look rather sharp in Lycra.”

The glamorously low-key royal also reduced him to tears when talking about their children’s love for him.

“I am so happy you swept me off my feet and that we dared to fall for each other not just for a moment but for life,” she said.