Danish Queen Mary in mourning after her father’s death
Flags are flying at half-mast at the Copenhagen palace to commemorate the death of Queen Mary of Denmark’s father, as Denmark remembers the man who walked her down the aisle on her wedding day when she became crown princess.
John Donaldson, the Australian-born royal’s father, died in Hobart on Saturday at the age of 84. His health has deteriorated in recent years.
Queen Mary and her husband, King Frederik, had the chance to spend “precious time” with her at the end of their six-day state visit to Australia last month.
“My heart is heavy, my thoughts are grey. My beloved father has passed away,” Queen Mary said in her Instagram post.
“But I know that when the pain subsides, the memories will brighten my day, and what will remain the strongest will be the love and gratitude for everything he gave and taught me.”
Mr Donaldson, a professor of applied mathematics, was born in Scotland in 1941 and later moved to Australia with his wife Henrietta in 1963. They became Australian citizens in 1975. He lost his wife in 1997.
In 2001, he remarried, to a British author named Susan Horwood, who writes crime novels under the pseudonym Susan Moody.
The website of the Danish royal house has opened a digital condolence book where people can write messages.
Denmark’s acting prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, expressed her deep condolences to Queen Mary and her family.
“The Danish people recognized John Donaldson when he walked his daughter down the aisle with pride and warmth and gave Denmark its Crown Princess,” she said in a statement.
“We will never forget this.”
Professor Donaldson wore a skirt and was all smiles as she gave away her daughter at a church wedding ceremony at Copenhagen Cathedral on May 14, 2004.
Queen Mary is the youngest of Professor Donaldson’s four children and the sister of Jane, John and Patricia.
He is also survived by 12 grandchildren, including Crown Prince Christian, who will one day become king of Denmark.
The family will hold a private memorial service.
