IT’S the stuff that fairytales are made of – a woman meets a handsome man who then turns out to be a prince and one day she becomes Queen.
But for Princess Mary of Denmark, this is not a folk story, this is her life,
Born Mary Donaldson in February 1972, Princess Mary is married to Prince Frederik of Denmark.
Before becoming a royal, she worked in advertising and marketing in the late 1990s.
She now commits are life to royal duties that come with being a member of the Danish royal family.
Princess Mary is often likened to the Princess of Wales, due to their similar look and style.
Royal fans will also be pleased to hear the two are also good friends.
Princess Mary was born in Hobart, Australia.
The future royal then spent her childhood in Tasmania, except for one brief year when her family moved to Houston, Texas when her father took a job at the Johnson Space Center.
Mary attended college at the University of Tasmania, graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce and Laws degree.
Just like Kate Middleton, Mary wasn’t born an aristocrat, instead, her parents worked in academia.
Her mother, Henrietta, was the executive assistant to the vice-chancellor of the University of Tasmania, while her father was a mathematics professor.
Mary is one of four children.
Sadly her mother died from complications following heart surgery on November 20, 1997, when Mary was 25.
In 2001, her father married the British author and novelist Susan Moody.
The pair met in a pub in Sydney in 2000, at a bar called the Slip Inn.
Although he was at the pub with other high-profile royals including the future king of Spain, Mary reportedly had no idea who he was.
He even introduced himself to her as Fred, and left out the fact that he was the heir to the Danish throne.
Mary and Frederik soon began a long-distance relationship – with the prince often sneaking off to Australia to spend time with her.
Mary and Prince Frederik became officially engaged on October 8, 2003.
Not wanting to wait around., the couple then wed on May 14,, 2004.
The ceremony was an emotional one, with Prince Frederik captured wiping away tears as his bride walked down the aisle.
The two were married at Copenhagen Cathedral in front of 400 guests, while royal watchers lined the streets.
Mary wore a long-sleeved ivory silk wedding dress.
The gorgeous gown was designed by acclaimed Danish designer Uffe Frank.
The stylish princess topped off her look with an Irish lace veil.
Born on October 15, 2005, Prince Christian is the eldest child of the royal couple.
He’ll follow his father in the line of succession to the Danish throne.
When his father becomes King, Prince Christian will receive a royal title change.
The Danish Royal House announced: “HRH Prince Christian becomes the heir to the throne and will henceforth be referred to as HRH Crown Prince Christian.”
Princess Isabella of Denmark is the second child of Mary and Prince Frederik.
She was born on April 21, 2007, and shared a birthday with the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Isabella is third in the line of succession to the Danish throne, after her father and older brother Prince Christian.
Unlike her father and older brother, Princess Isabella’s title won’t change.
Prince Frederik and Princess Mary welcomed twins on January 8, 2011.
Prince Vincent is just a few minutes older than his twin sister Princess Josephine.
This means he is fourth in line for the Danish throne.
The youngest of the family (by a few minutes) is Prince Vincent’s twin sister, Princess Josephine.
She is fifth in line for the Danish throne behind her twin brother.
All of the family live together at the royal residence Amalienborg in Copenhagen and the Chancellery House at Fredensborg Palace.
Queen Margrethe II announced her plan to give up the throne during a New Year’s Eve speech.
The Queen has two sons, Prince Frederik and Prince Joachim, with her late husband, Prince Henrik.
In her New Year’s Eve speech, the Queen said: “I leave the throne to my son, Crown Prince Frederik.”
Now Prince Frederik and Princess Mary are set to become King and Queen regent – with Mary being the world’s first Australia-born queen.
Their coronation will take place on January 14, 2024.
