King Frederik of Denmark and Queen Mary will today embark on an official visit to the queen’s home state, Tasmania — their first since 2005.
While the couple have travelled to the island state many times since they married, their previous trips have mostly been private, with the royals keeping a low profile and spending time with Tasmanian family and friends.
Queen Mary’s older sisters, Jane and Patricia, live in Tasmania.
The final day of their tour of Australia will be an opportunity for Tasmanians to get close(ish) to the king and their “homegrown” queen.
Queen Mary and King Frederik have attended a number of official functions during their visit to Australia. (AAP: Mick Tsikas)
Hunter Street on Hobart’s waterfront will be closed to traffic at 4:30pm this afternoon to allow Tasmanians to gather behind bollards on either side of the road and potentially meet the Danish royals.
“This is a significant national event, and it’s fitting for Tasmanians to be able to welcome Queen Mary home in person,” said Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff.
“I encourage all Tasmanians to come along, bring flags, wear tiaras, and show the king and queen what makes our state the most magnificent place in the country,”
he said.
Tasmanians have expressed their anticipation about the royal meet-and-greet on social media.
“As a Dane myself with children that are Danish/Australian, we are beyond excited and proud to have Mary and Frederik visit,” Mia Kronhoj said.
“Mary, enjoy your time home away from your other home,” Sarah Kanschat said.
Others have greeted the royal visit with republican-flavoured scepticism.
“When was he elected king? And when is the next election due to be held?” Terrance Bradley asked.
The chance to receive a handshake or get a selfie with the Scandinavian royals is expected to hold broad appeal and likely to see hundreds of people gather on Hobart’s waterfront this afternoon.
King Frederik and Queen Mary have been welcomed by flag-waving fans during their visit to Australia. (ABC News: Lily Nothling)
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According to a schedule published overnight on the Danish Royal House website, the king and queen will start their day at Government House in Hobart.
They will be officially welcomed by the Governor Barbara Baker, with a traditional smoking ceremony led by an Aboriginal representative “marking respect for the land and people of Tasmania”.
Next, the royals will join marine researchers at the Alum Cliffs Marine Reserve, where they will learn about the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems.
They will also visit Hobart ferry company Incat, which is building three battery-powered ships for Danish operator Molslinjen.
Then they’ll head to New Norfolk, north of Hobart, to see The Agrarian Kitchen restaurant, which focuses on “sustainable and circular food practices”.
Back in Hobart, they will check out the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) and watch a pop-up concert by a Danish electropop duo before taking part in the meet- and-greet on the waterfront.
And finally, they will be hosted by the governor at a state reception.
Danish political and business delegates are part of the royal tour.
King Frederik X and Queen Mary walk along the Roll of Honour during a visit to the Australian War Memorial in Canberra on Monday. (AAP/Lukas Coch)
‘Extraordinary story’
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is in Hobart today for a national cabinet meeting about fuel security.
He said he was looking forward to catching up with the royal couple again in Tasmania.
Mr Albanese and his wife, Jodie Hayden, hosted them at the Lodge in Canberra on Monday night.
“They are delightful, they’re very humble, they are very engaging and they are very interested obviously in Australia,”
he said.
King Frederik X and Queen Mary with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at Parliament House on Monday. (AAP: Mick Tsikas)
Mr Albanese said Queen Mary is proud of her Tasmanian heritage and every Tasmanian should be proud of her.
“It is extraordinary, the whole story … one that appeals at a time where there is a lot of negativity in the world; isn’t it wonderful that we have this relationship and story which we should celebrate,” Mr Albanese said.
Tasmanian-born Mary met the then-Crown Prince Frederik at the Slip Inn bar in Sydney during the 2000 Olympics.
The couple married in 2004 and ascended to the throne in 2024.
The tour so far
The prime minister said after the official engagements wind up this week, Queen Mary and King Frederik would be having “a little bit of well-deserved time off.”
It is not clear whether the couple will be staying on in Tasmania in a private capacity or heading back to Denmark.
Queen Mary and King Frederik have spent the past five days visiting other states.
They started their tour at Uluru, meeting traditional owners and experiencing the sunset over the red centre.
King Frederik and Queen Mary pictured at the Uluru Kata Tjuṯa Cultural Centre, in the Northern Territory, earlier this week. (AFP: David Gray)
Queen Mary said she had never visited the rock before and described it as “magical.”
The couple have also visited Canberra, where King Frederik gave a speech at a state dinner.
He reflected on meeting his future wife after he “slipped into that bar”.
“Once upon a time, perhaps Denmark did not resonate so much with Australia, but then something changed,” King Frederik said.
“In 2004, your Mary and I married, and with that, Denmark once again had a crown princess.
“From that moment on, everyone Down Under knew of the Nordic country Up Over.”
The royal couple spent two days in Melbourne visiting the MCG, meeting stem cell researchers, and highlighting youth mental health.