Crown Princess Mary: What we know about her coronation

New information has been released about a dazzling addition to Crown Princess Mary’s historic proclamation ceremony as a full running order of the day is revealed.

New information has been released about Crown Princess Mary’s proclamation ceremony on January 14 when she and her husband will be crowned rulers of Denmark.

A detailed timeline shows the running order of events that will take place as the Australian-born royal makes history.

A stunning display of giant 180 metre high fireworks will light up the skies over Copenhagen at precisely 6pm on Sunday, local time (4am, January 15 AEDT) shortly after Crown Prince Frederik is crowned King of Denmark.

Crown Princess Mary of Denmark at Christiansborg Palace. Picture: Getty Image

The elaborate display of 5,153 scarlet hearts and explosion of rockets in colours of the Dannebrog red and white flag, will be the largest orchestration of fireworks in Tivoli Gardens’ 180-year history to honour Queen Margrethe II’s 52-years on the throne and the accession of her eldest son and his Tasmanian-born wife.

But while former playboy Frederik prepares to hear the cry of “Long Live the King” from the balcony of the Danish government’s Christiansborg Palace, the talk among Danes on the street is that the words being hastily agreed by the palace to herald the new heir should be “Long Live King Mary”.

“She is the real royal, the one who will be the power behind the throne without any doubt,” said Danish royal expert Trine Villemann, author of 1015 Copenhagen K.

“Long live King Mary is a term of endearment spreading through Denmark, it’s what the people of Denmark are privately calling her.

“It’s an appreciation for all she has done for Frederik and the monarchy, he could not do this without her by his side.

Royal experts say Crown Princess Mary is the real power behind the throne. Picture: Getty Images

“This very ordinary girl from Tasmania who grew up in a bungalow in Morris Avenue just outside Hobart has grabbed the power and has never shied away from it, it’s what she’s been waiting for, she very good at getting what she wants.

“Without her, Crown Prince Frederik is screwed.

“She is always at his side; a pat on the shoulder, a little hand on the back whenever he’s made a speech — he’s not good at making speeches — an encouraging pat when he comes back to his seat next to her.

“He never wanted the title of majesty and had a tough time transitioning to adulthood because of a distant father in his childhood and the position into which he was born.

“Mary chased him to Europe and got him, she worked with what she had, she has made the man-child she married into a king without a doubt. She will never leave him, she is in this for life.”

Crown Princess Mary is set to make history. Picture: Getty Images

Amalienborg Castle insiders say ill health — not rumours of Frederik’s alleged marriage woes — forced Queen Margrethe to abdicate.

After the death of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth, the much-admired 83-year-old Queen Margrethe was the world’s only Queen Regnant as opposed to Queen Consort.

Unlike the British royal family, the Danes celebrate crownings frugally.

More details have been released about what will happen on the day of the proclamation ceremony.

At 1.35pm local time (January 14, 11.35pm AEDT), the royal couple will drive by car from Frederik VIII’s Palace to Christiansborg Castle.

At 1.37pm, Queen Margrethe will travel along the same route by carriage from Amalienborg’s Christian IX’s Palace, to Christiansborg Castle, escorted by the Horse Squadron of the Guardhussar Regiment.

At 2pm (midnight AEST), the council of state for the change of throne meets at Christiansborg Castle. Queen Margrethe will sign a declaration of her abdication in front of Crown Prince Frederik and his son Prince Christian, who will then be known as Crown Prince.

At 2.15pm, Queen Margrethe will depart from Christiansborg Castle and be driven to Christian IX’s Palace.

At 2.30pm (January 15, 12.30am AEDT) the royal couple will hold a meeting for special guests at Christiansborg Castle.

At 3pm local time (January 15, 1am AEDT), King Frederik X will emerge onto the balcony at Christiansborg Castle. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen will then proclaim the change of throne.

At 3.10pm local time, a salute of honour will sound from Battery Sixtus cannons at the entrance to Copenhagen Harbour.

The royal flag will be taken down at Christian IX’s Palace and raised at Frederik VIII’s Palace, Amalienborg.

At 3.30pm local time (January 15, 1.30am AEDT), the royal couple will ride in the carriage from Christiansborg Castle escorted by the Guardhussar Regiment’s Horse Squadron from Christiansborg Castle to Frederik VIII’s Palace, Amalienborg.

At 5pm local time (January 15, 3am AEDT) the transfer of the royal banners to mark the change of monarch from Christian IX’s Palace to Frederik VIII’s Palace, Amalienborg, will take place.

The following day, at 10am local time (January 15, 8pm AEDT), the royal family will participate in the parliament Folketing’s celebration of the change of throne meeting.

The speaker and the Danish Prime Minister will deliver speeches and relay the new King’s first message to parliament.

Crown Princess Mary has always been hugely popular in Denmark. Picture: Getty Images

Afterwards, the royal family will attend a reception in the Landstingsalen government room.

Following the Council of State on 14 January 2024, HM The Queen can be installed as acting regent.

As acting regent, The Queen will be able to perform duties as head of state when both TRH The Crown Prince and Prince Christian are prevented from doing so after 14 January, for example during stays abroad.

Already, TRH The Crown Princess, Prince Joachim and Princess Benedikte can assume the function of acting regent and thus handle the duties as head of state.

EXPERTS PREDICT MASSIVE TURNOUT

Royal experts are expecting a massive public turnout for the events, which signal the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter.

“The show is no longer about Queen Margarethe, she takes a back seat from the moment she officially abdicates,” said Trine Villemann.

“The turnout will be huge for the proclamation, most people only know Queen Margrethe and have grown up with her speeches, we listen to her gathered in the living room on New Year’s Eve, she’s part and parcel of the Danish tradition.

“Trains and hotels are fully booked, there will be a sentimental party in the streets, out of towners are coming in from outside to celebrate, there is a sadness to say goodbye to our old Queen but an excitement about the new heir.

“Mary is well equipped to step into the limelight. Without her, the Danish royal future would be dire.”

A new poll carried for Ritzau revealed Crown Princess Mary has garnered more popularity among the Danes than her husband as they prepare to become Queen Mary I and King Frederik X.

While 82 per cent of people believed Frederik is suited for the role of king, 86 per cent believe Mary will make a good queen.

Danish royal commentator Kim Bach believes Mary’s slight lead is likely due to the recent photos that were published of Frederik on a night out with Mexican socialite Genoveva Casanova in Madrid.

The photos prompted a furious denial of any kind of romantic relationship from Ms Casanova as well as threats of legal action.

Meanwhile, Queen Margrethe is preparing to step down after decades on the throne, performing her last duties as monarch.

The Queen held her final audience with laundry worker Flemming Kjølstrup Jensen from Centralvaskeriet Bispebjerg, the last Dane granted an official audience with the outgoing monarch.

Since 1972, Queen Margrethe has received between 50 to 150 Danes at each audience.

Throughout her reign, there have been more than 50,000 conversations with Danes who sought an audience at Christiansborg Palace every other Monday.

Originally published as Crown Princess Mary: What we know about her coronation