Denmark is abuzz as Princess Mary is given the green light to become the new Queen.
The Princess Mary fairytale has gathered an exciting new momentum, with the news Queen Margrethe is about to step down, and is preparing the way for Mary and her husband, Crown Prince Frederik, to take the throne by May.
Queen Margrethe will abdicate the throne when she turns 70 on April 16, reports top-selling Danish publication Her og Nu.
The Queen, who has long talked of retiring and enjoying life with her eccentric food-loving husband Henrik in the South of France, asked her daughter-in-law on January 6 to attend the Royal New Year Reception – the first time Mary has been invited to this glittering VIP event.
Until this year, only Mary’s husband of almost six years, Crown Prince Frederik, has attended the reception with his parents.
Veteran Danish royal watcher and photographer Steffen Soren tells Woman’s Day that Mary and Frederik have already started taking over some of Queen Margrethe’s duties.
“They are also appearing more regularly with the Queen,” he reports. “The Queen is looking tired and a couple of times last year I have caught her in pain.
“I think the Danes would love Mary as a Queen and we would feel even better if the Queen doesn’t have to die first.”
Regal, and more than ready, Mary’s accession to the Danish Throne is seen as just reward for her tireless hard work as Crown Princess. In the short time she has been a princess, Mary has taken to her royal role with such ease, poise and natural grace she has become the most popular member of the Danish royal family. Last year the Danes also voted her Woman Of The Year.
Danish royal watchers say Margrethe’s actions in giving Mary so many important assignments recently are all part of her secret plan to abdicate after her 70th birthday.
The Queen knows her daughter-in-law is now ready to step into the role. Mary’s classic elegance has already earned her the undisputed title Queen of Style. But her calm assurance and regal presence at recent royal galas have the Danes giving her the complete thumbs-up as the woman they want for their monarch.
“Seeing her so regal it seems like this is predestined,” Mary’s proud big brother, John Donaldson, tells Woman’s Day.
He believes she will be a wonderful and much-adored Queen, the perfect woman to follow in the steps of Margrethe.