Will Princess Mary become Queen?

The enchanting journey of an Australian sales executive ascending to the upper echelons of European royalty is set to culminate this month as Crown Princess Mary Elizabeth of Denmark assumes the role of the country’s Queen Consort.

The unexpected abdication of Queen Margrethe II on New Year’s Eve paved the way for the final phase of Mary’s remarkable path from Tasmania to the Danish throne. This rare abdication in Denmark, the first since 1146, according to the Royal House, sets in motion the ascension of Margrethe’s eldest son, Crown Prince Frederik, as the new King, with his wife, Crown Princess Mary, becoming the first Australian to hold the title of Queen Consort.

The announcement has resonated with Mary’s admirers in Australia, marking a poignant conclusion to a love story that captured hearts around the world. Their romance famously began in a bustling Sydney pub during the 2000 Olympics, a seemingly unlikely setting for the origins of a couple destined to become Denmark’s future King and Queen.

The Slip Inn, where their eyes first met, became the symbolic starting point of a journey that saw millions tune in to witness their union in 2004. Now, two decades later, their ascent to the throne is poised to captivate audiences globally, from the streets of Copenhagen to Mary’s hometown in the Tasmanian capital of Hobart.

Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff expressed the state’s pride in Crown Princess Mary, acknowledging her humility, grace, and kindness. In a statement, Rockliff remarked, “With her demonstrated humility, grace, and kindness, I am sure Crown Princess Mary will be embraced as Queen alongside her husband, King Frederik, once proclaimed later this month.”

As the next generation, and Tasmania’s own-born Queen, prepares to lead Denmark’s future, the world awaits the coronation of Crown Princess Mary, a tale that began in an Australian pub and evolved into a royal love story for the ages.