‘Great start’: Danish royals bask in sunrise Uluru trek
King Frederik of Denmark and Queen Mary ended the first leg of their visit to Australia with a sunrise walk to the famous Uluru waterhole.
The royal couple woke up before dawn on Sunday to walk with their traditional owners to Muṯitjulu Waterhole in Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park.
This culturally significant site is one of the few permanent water sources around the sandstone monolith and a regular attraction for visiting dignitaries.
He hosted the late Princess Diana during her royal tour of Britain in 1983, and then Prince Charles, now King, and the Dalai Lama in 2015.
Frederick and Mary descended on the red center on Saturday for a six-day tour of the states, their first trip to Australia since ascending to the throne.
The monarchs headed to the cultural center under gray skies for a guided tour and a ceremonial dance called Inma, which connects traditional guardians Aṉangu to his ancestors.
Queen Mary said it was great to be at home while taking photos at Uluru’s sunset viewing area.
“We were so looking forward to the visit and starting it here in the heart of Australia is huge,” he said.
“And experiencing Uluru for the first time, meeting the Aṉangu people and learning a little about their spiritual and cultural connection to this land… it really was a great start to an exciting visit here.”
The royal family will travel to Canberra on Sunday for more events, including a 21-gun salute at Government House and a dinner hosted by Governor-General Sam Mostyn.
The pair will also meet Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his wife Jodie Haydon before heading to Melbourne and Hobart.
The royal visit aims to deepen trade ties between Queen Mary’s adopted countries and their home countries, with a focus on clean energy.
The delegation includes the Danish deputy prime minister, foreign and climate ministers and more than 50 Danish companies.
Frederik and Mary were crowned king and queen of Denmark in a well-attended ceremony in January 2024.
The event celebrated the 20th anniversary of their marriage.
The pair, formerly Mary Donaldson, met during a chance encounter in a bar in Sydney during the 2000 Olympic Games.
The future queen, then 28 and working in marketing, had no idea that she had crossed paths with Denmark’s party boy crown prince.
The last time the royal family officially visited Australia was 13 years ago and this was their fourth tour together.
They will likely spend time with relatives in Tasmania, including Queen Mary’s elderly father, John Donaldson.
It seems unlikely that King Frederik and Queen Mary’s four children, Crown Prince Christian, 20, Princess Isabella, 18, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, 15, will join the tour with their families.
