Crown Princess Mary and Crown Prince Frederik: A real life fairytale

Celebrate Mary Donaldson, the girl from Tassie, and her fairytale romance with Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark.

May 14, 2019 9:00am

By Chloe Lal

19 years ago, no could have predicted a royal love story for the ages was about to unfold. Today, she is the Crown Princess of Denmark, married to the future king, Crown Prince Frederik.

But Mary Donaldson's road to love began like any other romance. She first crossed paths with Fred at Sydney CBD pub the Slip Inn during the 2000 Olympics. The then 28-year-old had no idea she'd just met a Danish royal.

"The first time we met we shook hands," she recalled. "I didn't know he was the prince of Denmark. Half an hour later someone came up to me and said, 'Do you know who these people are?'"

The first year of their romance was a long-distance relationship, with Frederik making secret trips to Australia. In 2001, Mary moved to Denmark and their story rocketed into international folklore.

Two years later, on October 8, 2003, it was announced that the couple were officially engaged.

"I don't recall wishing that one day I would be a princess," Mary said shortly after the engagement. "I wanted to be a veterinarian."

The couple married on May 14, 2004, at Copenhagen Cathedral in the nation's capital, where Mary wore a beautiful gown created by Danish designer Uffe Frank.

"From today, Mary is mine and I am hers," Fred said at the altar. "I love her and I will protect her with all my love."

Frederik and Mary have been married for 15 years and are the proud parents to four children: Prince Christian (born on Oct. 15, 2005), Princess Isabella (born on Apr. 21, 2007), and twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine (born Jan. 8, 2011).

Here is their incredible love story.

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Prince Frederik may be a royal, but not even he could escape the bowl haircut epidemic! Fortunately his charming smile and those adorable cheeks make him look very sweet.

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18 years ago, no could have predicted a Hobart girl would steal a Danish prince's heart. Then known as Mary Donaldson, the girl from Tassie first crossed paths with 'just Fred' at the Sydney's Slip Inn pub during the 2000 Olympics.

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"The first time we met we shook hands. I didn't know he was the prince of Denmark. Half an hour later someone came up to me and said, 'Do you know who these people are?'" she recalls.

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For the first year of their romance, the couple's relationship was long-distance, with Fred making secret trips from Copenhagen to Sydney. The couple is pictured here at the 2002 Melbourne Cup.

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Of the moment he proposed, Fred recalls, "We decided we wanted to go to Rome, just to see Rome. And I had never been to Rome before. I thought, "This is the moment. "Seize the day and... get your kneepads on." And then suddenly, on one of those wonderful areas in Rome, I had to say, 'This is it, Mary'."

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The couple regularly attend royal functions together.

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After Frederik proposed in 2003, Mary joked that she "wasn't allowed to say no" to the engagement.

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Fred was a man in love, and the couple married on May 14, 2004, in Copenhagen.

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Proving to be a real-life Prince Charming, Fred said at the altar, "From today, Mary is mine and I am hers. I love her and I will protect her with all my love."

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The Danish royals sealed their marriage with an official stamp.

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After 16 years of marriage, Frederik and Mary still have that wedding day sparkle.

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While Mary has embraced Danish culture, Australia will always be a home for the future Queen.

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Mary recalls when she first met Frederik, he left an impression... kind of. "Something clicked. It wasn't the fireworks in the sky or anything like that but there was a sense of excitement."

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That "click" lead to four beautiful children: Prince Christian, Princess Isabella, and twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine.

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Their firstborn and heir to the throne behind his dad, Prince Christian, was born in 2005.

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The couple then welcomed their second child, Princess Isabella, in January 2007.

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The couple welcomed their adorable twins, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine in 2011.

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There's a reason why Princess Mary is considered to be one of the most fashionable royals. Even Chanel's Karl Lagerfield is a fan of her style.

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Fred only has eyes for his Princess.

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The Danish royals know how to have a splendid family vacation.

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Now that's what you call dashing!

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Not even a glass tank can simmer down these two lovebirds.

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The couple supporting Denmark at the London Olympics in 2012 (we're sure Mary was wearing her Aussie colours underneath...).

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A loving kiss for his wife.

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Regal fashion on point.

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Especially when it comes to an official royal function.

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With her twin treasures, Vincent and Josephine.

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What a stunning family.

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Mary takes her kids out.

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Princess Isabella is a cheeky little one.

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Picture perfect!

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The two even wave in sync.

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The Crown Prince and Princess stunned on the cover of Vogue Australia in 2016.

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Coming full circle! 16 years after meeting during the Sydney Olympics, Princess Mary and Prince Fred supported both Australia and Denmark at the Rio Olympics. Watch Mary talk about the Olympics in the next slide. Gallery continues after the video!

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