King Frederik X and Queen Mary of Denmark are set to arrive in Australia this weekend for a six-day state visit, marking the first time in 40 years that a Danish monarch has travelled to the country. The visit, scheduled from March 14 to March 19, is expected to draw excited crowds at every stop, but a combination of royal protocol and recent political upheaval nearly caused the much-anticipated trip to fall apart.
Flight Disruption Forces Last-Minute Adjustments
Last week, as flight disruptions unfolded across the Middle East amid escalating violence and unrest, the Danish Royal House confirmed to Danish publication B.T. that they had to make "a few adjustments" to the travel plans. A spokesperson stated, "The royal couple's visit to Australia will be carried out with a few adjustments that will be announced later," while confirming the dates would remain unchanged.
This announcement was surprising, as many might assume a reigning royal couple would use a military or private aircraft, avoiding standard flight route issues. However, Jesper Lundorf, a former royal bodyguard for Frederik, explained that the royals typically take commercial flights for long-haul trips, with private or military aircraft reserved for "special occasions" that cannot cover long distances.
Jesper, who served as a bodyguard for seven years, noted that while he didn't know the specific plan for this visit, past trips have involved commercial flights, meaning ordinary travellers could unknowingly share a plane with the king or queen. He described the protocol: "You try to blend in as much as possible, and they also have their close entourage around them. Typically, you will be one of the last to board, then you drive up to the plane, get in, and sit down. Then you will also be one of the first to get off when the plane lands."
Election Timing Complicates Royal Schedule
The flight chaos wasn't the only disruption. On the Danish home front, a parliamentary general election was unexpectedly called earlier this month, with the vote scheduled for March 24. This placed the state visit in the middle of a key campaign period. Early on, the Royal House confirmed the trip would proceed as planned, but Minister of Defence and Deputy Prime Minister Troels Lund Poulsen, who was set to accompany the royals, opted to bow out to prepare his party for the election.
Billed Bladet reported that flight tickets were changed en masse for Danish business people and media accompanying the visit, ensuring they could arrive in Australia on time despite the Middle East closures.
Crown Jewels to Remain in Denmark Due to Protocol
Aussie royal fans hoping to see Queen Mary wear Denmark's famous crown jewels will be disappointed, as royal protocol prevents these pieces from leaving the country. Part of the Danish crown jewel collection belongs to the state, meaning they must remain in Denmark at all times and cannot travel abroad, even for official engagements. This differs from other monarchies where royals personally own their jewels.
This rule excludes the iconic emerald parure, one of the most significant pieces in the collection, from making an appearance. However, Mary may still wear a tiara from the royal family's private trust or her personal collection during state events, such as the planned banquet.
Historic Visit Aims to Strengthen Bilateral Ties
This trip is the first official visit Frederik, 57, and Mary, 54, have made to Australia since becoming King and Queen in January 2024. They have previously made three state visits to Australia and numerous private trips. The itinerary includes stops at Uluru, Canberra, Melbourne, and Hobart, with a welcome by traditional owners at Uluru and a ceremonial 21-gun salute in Canberra.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who prematurely announced the tour in a radio interview, released a statement welcoming the royals: "It is an honour to welcome Their Majesties The King and Queen of Denmark back to Australia. It is wonderful that the visit includes many parts of our great country, from the Northern Territory to Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory, and of course, Tasmania."
The visit aims to "further develop the already strong relations between Australia and Denmark, both culturally, economically, and in terms of foreign policy," according to a Royal House statement. It will have a "green focus," with the Minister for Climate, Energy, and Utilities and 55 Danish companies accompanying the royals to promote cooperation in renewable energy and sustainable urban development.
Lars Sandahl Sørensen, CEO of the Confederation of Danish Industry, expressed relief that the visit proceeded, noting, "We have a very special connection and association with Australia through Her Majesty the Queen and expect a lot of attention to Denmark from both domestic and Australian media. We need all the good forces that can shed light on what Denmark has to offer in these times."
Despite the challenges, the royal couple's visit underscores the strategic partnership between the two nations, with a full programme yet to be released by the Danish Royal House at the time of publication.
