Loved-up summer tour indicates shift in Queen Mary and King Frederik’s marriage
A summer tour has been marked by a string of loved-up joint appearances from Queen Mary and King Frederik that have delighted royal fans and indicated a shift.
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Smiling lovingly at her husband of 20 years, Tasmanian-born Queen Mary radiated wedded bliss during her first summer tour of Denmark’s regions as monarch.
Strolling on a guided walk around the picturesque Aeroe Island, her hat adorned with a posy of flowers and a necklace bearing the initials “M” and “F” around her neck, Mary was a vision of happiness.
The royal couple’s summer of love marked the latest in a string of loved-up joint appearances from the couple that have delighted royal fans the world over and indicated a definite shift in Queen Mary and King Frederik’s marriage.
Danish magazine Billed Bladet, which tracks the royal family’s every move, told how locals were stunned just days ago when the smiling King and Queen went for an intimate stroll around a “cozy little harbour” north of Copenhagen.
The upturn in public displays of affection began last May, when the normally reserved Australian-born royal wrapped her arms around her husband’s shoulder in a sign of deep affection as they kicked off their first summer sailing season on the royal yacht.
The pair also dazzled fans with their display of family togetherness when they visited Disko Bay in Greenland in early July with their youngest children, twins Princess Jospehine and Prince Vincent.
The visit wasn’t entirely drama-free – Mary was left visibly shaken after being thrown to the ground when an elderly man riding a mobility scooter ran into her while in a rush to shake her hand during a tour of the capital, Nuuk.
At their son Prince Christian’s high school graduation in June, Mary and Frederik appeared like a pair of lovestruck teenagers, wrapping their arms around each other as they celebrated the future king’s milestone with their four children.
The royal pair’s recent scenes of adoration are in stark contrast to the dark days of last November when the royal marriage – viewed by fans as a fairytale romance that began when 28-year-old advertising executive Mary Donaldson met the future king of Denmark at a Sydney pub during the 2000 Olympics – was under scrutiny after allegations of an affair.
In images that rocked Amalienborg Palace, the then Prince Frederik was revealed to have spent a leisurely day and night out in Madrid with glamorous Mexican socialite Genoveva Casanova, who categorically denied having any romantic relationship with the Danish royal.
As rumours flew, the Danish monarchy appeared to be flailing, culminating in the shock New Year’s Eve announcement that Queen Margrethe, 84, would abdicate from the throne.
At the time, leading royal expert Phil Dampier said it was possible that Queen Margrethe had taken the drastic action of stepping down – considered a taboo for the Danish monarchy – due to fears for the future of her son’s marriage.
“It’s possible that the Queen took this action because she would have been terrified of the marriage breaking up and the royal family losing Mary,” he said.
“It would have caused major problems. The Queen has always seen Mary as a tremendous asset.”
On face value, 52-year-old Mary’s marriage appeared to be undergoing its biggest ever crisis, with the pair appearing strained and avoiding eye contact in their rare joint public appearances.
The previously carefree Frederik, 56, looked haggard and drawn when photographed carrying out his solo royal duties.
Even the normally reserved Danish press weighed in on the tense atmosphere, with newspaper Ekstra Bladet reporting in January that the atmosphere between Mary and Frederik during their first post-abdication banquet was at “freezing point”.
Fast forward to the present and the change in the dynamic between Queen Mary and her husband is staggering.
After devoting the majority of her adult life to the monarchy, the Australian-born royal, who is hugely popular with the Danish public, has potentially taken a fresh approach to her marriage.
Dr Louise Mahler, an Australian expert in body language and communication, said the recent shift in Queen Mary and Prince Frederik’s dynamic showed the pair’s unwavering “commitment to duty”.
“The recent pictures show smiles, relaxed posture, comfortable modelling of gorgeous outfits and standing close together.
“Do they show a ‘loved up’ couple? Not really, they show a couple who have weathered the storm, made a commitment and are now acting that commitment out to perfection.”
Dr Mahler said the much-loved Australian-born royal seemed “happy and relaxed” as opposed to just months ago when the royal pair appeared to emanate unhappiness.
“Last year there was no eye contact, no touching and even frowns – from this to the touch and connectedness we are seeing today is a big step forward. To me there was an ultimatum being played out last year.
“While that was being resolved distance was kept, bodies faced opposite directions, and they looked unhappy in themselves.
“As the true professionals they are, one can only imagine the level of tension that would have driven them to that stance, something that was likely close to relationship-ending.”
The body language expert said there appeared to be no sign of “acrimony” between the royal couple and that they were “perfectly in sync with each other”.
“Mary places her arm around Frederik as a display of connectedness,” Dr Mahler said.
“This is part of the image they are portraying and the role they are playing. They are showing a level of comfort with each other that sends all the right messages on togetherness to the Danish people and the world.
“This rediscovered connection is wonderful to see and a far cry from the noticeable tension that was so visible in public last year – and one can only imagine the work that has gone on behind the scenes to repair the relationship.”
The couple’s strong image of togetherness was heartwarming for Aussie and Danish royal fans after a tumultuous period for the monarchy, she said.
“Mary is most certainly ‘at peace’ with the current arrangement and whatever has rocked their relationship in the past seems for now to be behind them.
“They are definitely showing a united front. They are doing what is required of them for their role, fulfilling their commitment to the Danish people, who are no doubt delighted to see their King and Queen so united.”
Originally published as Loved-up summer tour indicates shift in Queen Mary and King Frederik’s marriage
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