Wedding of Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark, and Mary Donaldson

Wedding of Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark, and Mary Donaldson

Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark and Mary Donaldson on their wedding day.
Date 14 May 2004
Location Copenhagen Cathedral, Copenhagen, Denmark
Participants Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark
Mary Donaldson

The wedding of Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark, and Mary Donaldson took place on 14 May 2004 in the Copenhagen Cathedral.

Courtship and engagement

Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark, and Mary Donaldson met on 16 September 2000, during the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney.;[1] Frederik identified himself as the Crown Prince of Denmark at the height of their courtship.[2] Their relationship was kept low-profile, although some Danish media reported the two were dating. On 24 September 2003, it was announced that Frederik's mother, Queen Margrethe II, intended to give her consent to the marriage at the State Council meeting scheduled for 8 October 2003.

Frederik and Mary became officially engaged on 8 October 2003. Frederik presented Mary with an engagement ring featuring an emerald cut diamond and two emerald cut ruby baguettes.[3] Prior to the wedding, Mary, who had previously been a dual citizen of Australia and the United Kingdom, was granted Danish citizenship. She also converted from Presbyterianism to the Lutheran Church of Denmark. The media portrayed Frederik's and Mary's relationship as a modern "fairytale" romance between a prince and a commoner.[4]

Wedding ceremony

The wedding ceremony of Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark, and Mary Donaldson was held on 14 May 2004 in the Copenhagen Cathedral in Copenhagen, Denmark,[5] followed by the wedding festivities at the Fredensborg Palace.[6] Mary's sisters Jane Stephens and Patricia Bailey, and her friend Amber Petty served as bridesmaids, while Frederik's brother Prince Joachim of Denmark was the best man. Mary's nieces Erin and Kate Stephens and Madisson Woods were flower girls, and Frederik's nephew Prince Nikolai of Denmark and first cousin once removed Count Richard von Pfeil und Klein-Ellguth were pageboys.

Mary wore a wedding dress created by Danish fashion designer Uffe Frank with a veil first used by Crown Princess Margareta of Sweden, and then by her daughter Ingrid, Queen of Denmark. The veil, made from Irish lace, was later worn by Ingrid's daughters Margrethe, Benedikte and Anne-Marie. Mary's wedding tiara was a gift from Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik.[7]

Titles upon marriage

Upon her marriage, Mary embraced the title of her husband and became the Her Royal Highness Crown Princess of Denmark. Should Frederik eventually ascend to the Danish throne, as expected, Mary would automatically become the Queen consort of Denmark. She was also honoured with the Order of the Elephant, and her father John Donaldson with the grand cross of the Order of the Dannebrog. In accordance with the statutes of the Danish Royal Orders, both of them were granted a personal coat of arms.[8]

On 29 April 2008, Frederik and Mary were also created the Count and the Countess of Monpezat, which is a title that Frederik inherited from his father Henrik, Prince Consort of Denmark.[9]

Guest list

Danish Royal Family

Monpezat family

Donaldson family

Royalty from reigning dynasties

Royalty from non-reigning dynasties

Other distinguished guests

Bridesmaids and flower girls, best man and page boys

Bridesmaids and best man

Flower girls and page boys

See also

References

  1. ↑ Magnay, Jacquelin (5 November 2002). "Sydney lass plays lady in waiting". The Age. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
  2. ↑ "Latest news and profile of Crown Princess Mary of Denmark". Hello. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
  3. ↑ "Crown jewels: The fabulous rings which sealed the love of Europe's royal couples". Hello. 12 September 2010. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
  4. ↑ Dennis, Anthony (15 May 2004). "So, this princess walks into a bar...". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
  5. ↑ "The Crown Prince Couple". Danish Royal Family. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
  6. ↑ "HRH Crown Princess Mary". Danish Royal Family. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
  7. ↑ "Tradition and modernity in Mary's bridal ensemble". Hello. 30 July 2004. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
  8. ↑ "New arms for Crown Prince Mary of Denmark". Australian Heraldry Society. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
  9. ↑ "Monpezat til Frederik og Joachim". Berlingske Tidende (in Danish). 30 April 2008. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
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