Queen Mary and King Frederik of Denmark are caught up in Middle East travel chaos ahead of historic trip to Australia next week
- King Frederik X and Queen Mary arrive in Australia next week
- The Danial Royals State Visit is scheduled for March 14 - March 19
- A Danish Royal House spokesperson confirmed changed travel plans
- Recent unrest in the Middle East continues to affect travel plans
- READ MORE: Queen Mary's self-exiled in-laws return after controversial exit
As flight disruption continues across the Middle East amid escalating violence and unrest, the Danish royal family are among thousands of travellers reconsidering their routes ahead of an upcoming official visit to Australia.
King Frederik X and Queen Mary of Denmark are scheduled to make a State Visit to Australia next week, with their official trip taking place between March 14 and March 19.
However, a spokesperson for the Royal House confirmed to Danish publication B.T. overnight that they are making 'a few adjustments' to the royal couple's travel plans.
'The royal couple's visit to Australia will be carried out with a few adjustments that will be announced later,' the spokesperson said.
Reassuringly, there was no suggestion of cancellation or any other significant changes to the planned visit, aside from the suggestion of an altered route to travel down under.
'The dates of the visit will not be changed,' confirmed the spokesperson.
This landmark visit is historic, marking the first time in 40 years that a Danish monarch has travelled to Australia.
It's also significant for Aussies as it will be the first time a reigning Australian-born queen has visited in an official capacity.
King Frederik X and Queen Mary of Denmark are scheduled to make a State Visit to Australia between March 14 and March 19
A Royal House spokesperson confirmed overnight that the Australia visit will proceed as planned, but with 'a few adjustments' in light of recent travel disruptions resulting from ongoing upheaval in the Middle East
This trip is also the first official visit Frederik, 57, and Mary, 54, have made to Australia since becoming King and Queen. The royal couple had previously made State Visits to Australia on three occasions.
Mary's most recent official visit was a solo trip in April 2023, just months before Frederik's mother, Queen Margrethe II, announced her abdication. She handed over the throne to Frederik and Mary in January 2024.
The Royal House has already revealed some itinerary details for the King and Queen's upcoming State Visit.
While they're down under, Their Majesties are expected to travel to Uluru, Canberra, Melbourne, and Hobart.
The trip will commence in the Northern Territory with a welcome by traditional owners.
Meanwhile, the final leg of the tour holds special meaning to Queen Mary, who grew up in Hobart.
More details of their itinerary are expected to be announced in due course – and, at the time of publication, the Royal House website had not revealed the intended programme for their Australia visit.
According to a previously released statement from the palace, the purpose of this trip is to 'further develop the already strong relations between Australia and Denmark, both culturally, economically and in foreign policy'.
Frederik and Mary have previously made three State Visits to Australia. They are pictured here in 2013 outside the Sydney Opera House
Australia-born Queen Mary's last official State Visit down under was a solo trip in 2023, and included a bike ride around Sydney accompanied by a Danish minister
This State Visit to Australia is historic because it's Fredereik and Mary's first time here since becoming king and queen. It's also the first time a reigning Australian-born queen has visited in an official capacity
'A strengthened partnership with Australia is particularly important at a time when geopolitical upheavals have economic and security policy consequences that bind developments in Europe and the Indo-Pacific region together,' the statement read.
'Building on the strategic partnership entered into between Australia and Denmark in 2023, the state visit will strengthen cooperation in a wide range of areas, including green transition and economic security.'
During their upcoming visit, the King and Queen will be joined by Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong, the Minister for Climate, Energy, and Utilities, and a large business delegation.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese released a statement on January 30, welcoming the upcoming royal arrivals.
'It is an honour to welcome Their Majesties The King and Queen of Denmark back to Australia,' the statement from the Prime Minister said.
'It is wonderful that the visit includes many parts of our great country, from the Northern Territory to Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory, and of course, Tasmania.'
Australia holds significant meaning for the Danish royal couple, not only because it's Mary's home country, but also because it's where they first met.
Mary and Frederik's love story began during the Sydney 2000 Olympics, reportedly introduced to each other through mutual friends on September 16 while both were out at the Slip Inn pub in Darling Harbour.
The couple tied the knot in a lavish royal wedding on May 14, 2004, in Copenhagen.
They now share four children: Crown Prince Christian, 20, Princess Isabella, 18, and 15-year-old twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine.
