On a stunning Sydney morning Crown Princess Mary and Crown Prince Frederick walked out onto the Sydney Opera House steps to wish “Happy Birthday” to the 40-year-old Australian icon.
The couple are patrons of the birthday celebrations, representing the perfect contemporary union of Denmark and Australia, a symbol for our union decades ago with Danish architect Jorn Utzon.
In the crowds is Jan Utzon, Jorn’s architect son, proud to be here to see his father’s work gleaming so brightly in the sunshine.
A throng of school children greet the Crown Princess who is the picture of elegance in a silver dress with blue floral designs and impressively towering Jimmy Choo heels.
The children are from class 5A of Redlands School. Ten-year-old Stephanie tells me she is incredibly excited to be here and has been practising her curtsey.
Her fellow classmate Carl Hansen is Danish and has been here in Sydney for four years. He’s the son of Danish Consul Michael Hansen and has met Crown Princess Mary before.
Carl is a huge fan of the Australian-born Crown Princess and thrilled to be able to share his special connection with his school friends.
Also in the crowd are retirees Shirley and Terry Perrott from Canberra. They’re in Sydney to see Lisa McCune and Teddy Tahu Rhodes South Pacific tonight but couldn’t resist the opportunity to see Crown Princess Mary face to face. And they weren’t disappointed.
As Mary walked along greeting the crowd she spied Shirley and shook her hand.
“She’s very beautiful” a thrilled Shirley tells me afterwards.
“I won’t forget this day.”
As the couple left the throng of well-wishers many waving Danish fans, the crowd clapped and cheered.
This is the first stop on a four day tour which will see the Crown Prince Couple visiting a school, Randwick Children’s hospital, a wind farm, Danish designer shops, a clutch of events at the Sydney Opera House and later today meeting NSW Governor Marie Bashir at Government House.
