King Frederik: “Australia is our second home”

King Frederik has called Australia his family’s “second home” during the Danish state visit.

During his speech at the state banquet at Government House in Canberra, the King spoke of his fondness and the special connection Denmark has with Down Under.

While Denmark used to not have a close relationship with Australia, that changed in 2004 when Aussie Mary Donaldson married then Crown Prince Frederik.

“In 2004, your Mary and I were married, and with that, Denmark once again had a Crown Princess. From that moment on, everyone ‘down under’ knew of the Nordic country ‘up over.’

“The diplomatic ties between our two nations stretch back almost sixty years. But twenty-two years ago, those ties were forged even closer. Suddenly, we ‘shared’ a real Princess.”

The King then spoke of his thoughts on his wife’s homeland, “For me, Australia has held a very special place in my heart ever since I slipped into that bar and lost it in a conversation that has never ended.”

Of course, His Majesty addressed his wife, remarking, “Mary, you had the courage to leave your beloved home and build a new one with me as far away as one can possibly go. For that, I will be forever grateful.”

King Frederik and Queen Mary married in 2004 after meeting during the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. They now share four children, Crown Prince Christian, Princess Isabella, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine.

The Royal House ©

The King shared that Australia was his family’s second home, as the family travels to the island country in the Commonwealth regularly to visit the Queen’s family.

“Australia is our second home. Whether we come here for a family visit or a State Visit, we feel both excited and entirely at ease.

“Being here for the first time as King and Queen does not change that, although it does add somewhat to the planning. On behalf of both Mary and me, I would like to thank everyone involved in making this visit possible,” he said.

Frederik’s mother, Queen Margrethe, abdicated the Danish throne in January 2024, and Frederik and Mary became the King and Queen of Denmark.