Danish Queen Mary in mourning after her father’s death
Source: X
Tasmanian-born Danish Queen Mary has shared a poignant message saying her “heart is heavy” following the death of her father.
Flags are flying at half-mast at Mary’s palace home in Copenhagen after the Australian-born royal’s father, John Donaldson, died in Hobart at the age of 84 on Saturday.
Donaldson’s health had declined in recent years.
Queen Mary and her husband King Frederik, were in Australia just last month for a six-day state visit. At the end of it, they spent “precious time” with her father.
“My heart is heavy, and my thoughts are grey. My beloved father has passed away,” Mary said in an Instagram post on Sunday.
“But I know that when the grief settles, the memories will brighten my day, and what will remain strongest is love and gratitude for everything he gave me and taught me.”
Donaldson, a professor of applied mathematics, was born in Scotland in 1941 and later moved to Australia in 1963 with his wife, Henrietta. They became Australian citizens in 1975. Henrietta Donaldson died in 1997, seven years before her youngest daughter married the then Danish crown prince.
In 2001, Donald remarried, to a British author named Susan Horwood who writes crime novels under the pen name Susan Moody.
The Danish royal house’s website has opened a digital condolence book where people can write messages.
Acting Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen expressed deep condolences to Queen Mary and her family.
“The Danish people came to know John Donaldson when, with pride and warmth, he walked his daughter up the aisle and gave Denmark its Crown Princess,” she said.
“We will never forget that.”
John Donaldson walks his daughter Mary down the aisle for her wedding to Prince Frederik. Photo: AAP
Donaldson wore a kilt and beamed as he gave his daughter away during the church wedding ceremony at Copenhagen Cathedral on May 14, 2004.
Queen Mary’s older siblings are Jane, John, and Patricia.
Donaldson is also survived by 12 grandchildren, including Crown Prince Christian, who will one day become the Danish king.
The family will hold a private memorial service.
-AAP
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