Cosy Aussie celebrations befitting a Danish queen

Flags, delicious carbs, messages of conservation and cheeky devils all share the limelight as Australia prepares to honour our first queen.

DAILY TELEGRAPH JANUARY 14, 2024 Danish families joined the Coronation Celebrations with a picnic in Kembla Grange near Wollongong today. Pictured is Karina Woodward and her husband John with their daughter Emily, 24. Picture: David Swift

The accession of Hobart-born Queen Mary of Denmark is not only ensuring the future of one of Europe’s oldest monarchies, it’ll also help save Australian wildlife.

The devil works hard but the Tasmanian version works harder just to survive, which is why in lieu of a gift to the new king and queen, ­Anthony Albanese has pledged $10,000 in Mary’s honour to ­Wildcare Tasmania to support its efforts to further conserve the iconic marsupial.

“Crown Princess Mary grew up in Tasmania, and so it is fitting Australia marks this occasion with a gift to support the conservation of the Tasmanian devil,” the Prime Minister said at the weekend following the announcement of the federal government’s donation.

“The story of Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark is one Australians have followed closely and hold dear to their hearts.

“Australia and Denmark’s close ties go beyond this union, with our nations sharing a commitment to democratic values, human rights, action on climate change and liberal trade. On ­behalf of all Australians, I wish Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark the very best.”

As well as lighting up the Tasman Bridge in red, Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockcliff said his government had also organised a new “handmade Huon pine occasional table” for Mary and Frederik to adorn one of their four palaces that make up Denmark’s Amalienborg Palace complex.

Closer to Mary’s home town the parties on Sunday were only just getting started.

Denmark House in Melbourne hosted the public to mark the succession of the throne. Honorary consul general Jan Ravnholdt welcomed expats, Scandi enthusiasts, royal watchers and “all Danes and Tasmanians” in Melbourne to celebrate “this historic day”. Amid the sea of red andwhite outfits, Mr Ravnholdt encouraged guests to sign an official book of congratulations for the royal couple. The book will also be available online and at the Danish embassy in Canberra from Monday.

As the Sydney drizzle added an ­element of “hygge” to the public events on Sunday, there were a number of gatherings that popped up around Mary’s former address, including a picnic organised by the Danish Club of Australia that was bursting with cosiness, national pride and plates of rundstykker – Denmark’s famous morning rolls – stuffed with Danish meatballs.

The Australian celebrations are a marked difference to the those taking place in Copenhagen where shopfronts are adorned with Danish flags, thank you messages to the long-reigning Queen Margrethe cover the capital city and thousands of wellwishers are braving the -4C to farewell the monarch and celebrate Fred, Mary and Christian’s promotions.