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WATCH: Princess Mary's most emotional moment yet

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Princess Mary's Christmas anguish

The royals father steps in! - by Nikki Black
  • 17 Dec 2018

In the aftermath of reports that major cracks are showing within the Danish royals’ marriage, Princess Mary’s father has stepped in to give his daughter a very public gesture of support.

A source close to the Danish royal family tells New Idea that the usually publicity shy John Dalgleish Donaldson has been very concerned about Mary in recent months and felt he needed to show the family’s support.

“Mary’s dad has been really worried about her since all the nasty rumours about her divorce surfaced and wanted to be by her side,” says a source close to Mary’s family.

“He hates to think of her going through such scrutiny with no family around her, so he really wanted to spend some time with her and make sure Mary’s OK.”

John – and Mary’s stepmother Susan Moody – were present with Mary, Frederik and their children at the Danish Music Conservatory Children’s Choir Christmas concert on Dec. 8.

princess mary and her father

While, like Mary, he smiled broadly for official photographs, when caught off guard John appeared as strained and downcast as his royal daughter.

Now retired, former professor John and Susan are thought to split their time between Denmark and Australia and their homes in France and the UK.

John worked in Denmark at the University of Copenhagen in the mid-2000s. Since leaving there he’s been absent from public life.

Meanwhile, as New Idea reported last month, Mary is feeling particularly homesick for Australia where the hot climate and summer festive tradition is markedly different to the cold and dark Danish winter.

mary

She last visited Down Under in December 2017, for a private family holiday, spending time in Sydney before decamping to Tasmania where they spent time with family.

The trip was particularly poignant as royal watchers believed it might be Mary’s last Christmas trip to Australia.

If, as is suspected, Queen Margrethe abdicates in 2019, it’s likely that as Queen, Mary will have to spend all future festive periods in Denmark.

“Mary loves her trips back home, and she’s missing her family more than usual at the moment so it’s weighing her down that she can’t come home to visit,” an insider told New Idea at the end of November.

It’s an emotional time for Mary who is close to her Australian family, which includes her brother John and sisters Jane and Patricia. But while there have been reports that Mary’s relationship with her father has been strained over the years – with royal watchers noting

newidea

John appears to have been absent from her life – this isn’t the real story, according to our source.

“It’s true it’s been a long time since Mary and her dad were together and some friends of the family were starting to wonder if there’d been a falling out,” says the insider. “But the truth is Mary is just so busy with all her royal duties and being a mum, and her dad respects that.”

Last month, the Crown Princess faced reports that she was feeling the pressure as her royal duties were increased in the aftermath of Frederik’s long surgery recuperation.

There were also unsubstantiated rumours circulating in the Danish press about the royal family’s young, female nanny and Prince Frederik.

Unsurprisingly, Mary’s father was keen to lend the family his support during this difficult time. And while they are in constant communication, John realised that a face-to-face visit was needed.

“They talk all the time,” explains the source, adding, “But seeing Mary go through such pain with all these vicious rumours, he was really worried about her and wanted to be with her.”

  • Royals
  • Princess Mary
Nikki Black
Nikki is obsessed with all things celebrity and dreams she is a long-lost Kardashian. You'll find her binging Netflix's latest 'must-watch' show with a jar of Nutella by her side.

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Home and Away opening title
Watch 1:09

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{headline}

{headline}

Queen Margrethe thought Frederik would never get married

Princess Mary all smiles as she steps out with Fred and the kids

Crown Princess Mary shows off her stunning Christmas décor at royal palace

Princess Mary wows in velvet pants as she steps out with Frederik

{headline}

{headline}

Mary and Fred's split hell

Princess Mary wears veil to meet the Pope

ANOTHER royal has landed in Sydney!

{headline}

{headline}

Princess Mary stuns in magenta

Princess Mary’s son Christian pictured as he turns 13

Princess Mary and Prince Frederik reunited!

Why Princess Mary's leaving Fred and the kids for the US

Why Princess Mary's leaving Fred and the kids for the US

Lady in Red! Princess Mary enjoys a day on Sydney Harbour

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HILARIOUS PICS: Queen Margrethe of Denmark as you've never seen her before

HILARIOUS PICS: Queen Margrethe of Denmark as you've never seen her before

WATCH: Princess Mary's most emotional moment yet

WATCH: Princess Mary's most emotional moment yet

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