Ever since she married Crown Prince Frederik in 2004, beloved Aussie girl-next-door-turned-princess, Mary Donaldson, has captured the hearts of her Danish subjects. And on October 2, the 47-year-old from Tasmania took another step closer to becoming the queen of Denmark, signing a declaration that names her as head of state when Queen Margrethe II and Frederik are prevented from doing so.
WATCH: Princess Mary pretty in pink as she curtseys to Queen
The momentous move during the Council of State saw Crown Princess Mary sign a declaration in the presence of Margrethe, Frederik and the Danish government stating that she agrees to act according to the Danish constitution should the need arise.
Effective immediately, Mary is now able to attend to the Queen’s duties as head of state when her mother-in-law and husband are abroad. Only two others can act as regents – Prince Joachim, Fred’s younger brother, and Princess Benedikte, the Queen’s sister – showing what an important move this is for Mary, who is next in line to become the queen of Denmark when Fred steps onto the throne after his mum’s reign ends.
And that could happen sooner than expected. While Queen Margrethe has long stood firm that she would never abdicate the throne, she’s recently admitted to Swedish newspaper Kvällsposten that stepping down, making way for Fred to become king – and Mary queen – isn’t entirely out of the question.
Though her mission is reportedly “to be in it for life”, the Queen said she “opens a door” to the possibility of abdication, particularly in the event of “hopeless illness”.
Margrethe – who will turn 80next year – has been on the throne for 47 years. But with Crown Prince Frederik taking on some of the ‘heavier’ jobs of late, speculation has risen that he might be preparing to take over the role.
For her part, Princess Mary is clearly more than ready to step up to the new role when her husband takes the throne. The mother of four is an old hand at royal duties these days, which she also proved yet again as she joined Frederik, Margrethe and Princess Benedikte at Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen on October 1 for the official opening of the Danish parliament.
Dressed in a dusty rose coat by Danish-Dutch designer Claes Iversen, complete with a matching pillbox hat and burgundy heels, the princess showed off an effortlessly stylish look that was reminiscent of 1960s style icon Jackie Kennedy.
She also opened a bridge named after her in Frederikssund, Denmark, on September 30. Crown Princess Mary’s Bridge connects West and North Zealand over the Roskilde Fjord.
Despite the blustery conditions on the day, Mary maintained her regal poise – a move befitting a queen indeed!
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