Queen Mary’s father has died

John Donaldson, the father of Queen Mary of Denmark, has died in Tasmania.

Queen Mary of Denmark has announced her death of her father Professor John Dalgleish Donaldson. He was 84 years old. John Donaldson died in Hobart Tasmania, no further information has been provided.

In a statement from the Danish Royal Court, Queen Mary has said:

My heart is heavy and my thoughts are grey. My beloved father is dead. But I know that when the grief subsides, the memories will brighten, and what will remain most strongly is the love and gratitude for all he gave me and taught me.

The Royal Court notes that Professor John Donaldson had been increasingly affected by age for some time. Queen Mary last visited her father in March, where they had several “good and present moments together.”

John Donaldson was a professor of applied mathematics and was born in Scotland on September 5, 1941. It is the family’s decision that a private memorial service will take place at a later date.

Members of the public can sign an online book of condolences via the Danish Royal Court’s official website (Kongehuset) for Queen Mary and her family.