On May 14, 2004, King Frederik of Denmark, then Crown Prince, married Australian-born Mary Donaldson in a widely celebrated royal wedding held at Copenhagen Cathedral. The couple met in 2000 at a pub in Sydney during the Olympics. Their engagement was announced in 2003 at Fredonsberg Castle, where Mary, a former advertising executive, captivated Denmark by speaking Danish. Their wedding drew international attention and included guests from various royal families.
Mary wore a gown designed by Danish Uffe Frank, and a historical veil previously worn by Princess Margareta of Sweden and Queen Margrethe II. Her bouquet paid tribute to her Australian heritage with eucalyptus leaves, and she also carried a personal memento by sewing her late mother’s wedding ring into her dress.
Since their wedding, Frederik and Mary ascended to the throne, becoming King and Queen of Denmark following Queen Margrethe II's declaration of Frederik’s accession earlier in January 2023. Recently, in November 2023, their marriage was scrutinized due to Frederik’s outing with Mexican socialite Genoveva Casanova in Madrid, though rumors of an affair were denied. The royal couple chose to work during their 20th anniversary, undertaking a tour of Norway instead of celebrating publicly.