The little-known travel rules complicating Queen Mary's trip to Australia this week... and why her famous tiaras won't be in the carry-on

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Queen Mary and King Frederik X of Denmark arrive in Australia this weekend for a six-day state visit - and it's anticipated they will be met with excited crowds at every stop along the way.

But in the lead-up to this trip, which spans from March 14 to March 19, a combination of royal protocol and recent political upheaval has almost seen this much-anticipated royal visit fall apart at the seams.

Last week, as flight disruption unfolded across the Middle East amid escalating violence and unrest, the Danish Royal House confirmed to Danish publication B.T. that they had to make 'a few adjustments' to the 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.

'The dates of the visit will not be changed,' confirmed the spokesperson.

This announcement was perhaps surprising, as the presumption may have been that a reigning royal couple would enjoy the use of a military aircraft or private plane - and therefore not have to worry about alterations to standard flight routes.

However, one of Frederik's former royal bodyguards, Jesper Lundorf, told B.T. that his previous experience of travelling with the royal family was that they typically took commercial flights for these long-haul trips, and that private or military aircraft are usually 'only on special occasions, and they can't fly long distances'.

Although he didn't speak to the 'specific plan' for this Australia visit, he noted that in the past the royals have taken commercial flights, meaning there's every chance an ordinary traveller could end up on the same plane as King Frederik or Queen Mary - although they most likely wouldn't even know it.

King Frederik X and Queen Mary arrive in Australia next week, marking the first time in 40 years that a Danish monarch has travelled to Australia. They've previously made three state visits down under, including in 2013 (pictured)

This trip is the first official visit Frederik, 57, and Mary, 54, have made to Australia since becoming King and Queen in January 2024 (pictured)

'I've flown business and first class with them myself,' explained Jesper, who was a royal bodyguard for Frederik for seven years. 'But you try to blend in as much as possible, and they also have their close entourage around them.

'Typically, you will be one of the last to board, then you drive up to the plane, get in, and sit down. Then you will also be one of the first to get off when the plane lands.'

But even the most meticulous royal travel protocol was thrown into disarray this week as usual flight routes and airspaces over the Middle East were closed amid the heightened situation.

Billed Bladet reported that it wasn't just the Danish royals' travel plans that had to be adjusted, but also that flight tickets were changed en masse for the Danish business people and even media accompanying the state visit, so that they had ample opportunity to leave Denmark and arrive in Australia on time for the royals' arrival.

This wasn't the only last-minute disruption to the travel plans.

On the Danish home front, a parliamentary general election was unexpectedly called earlier this month, with the vote scheduled for March 24. This meant the already-scheduled state visit would now take place right in the middle of a key campaign period.

Early on, the Royal House communications department confirmed the trip would nevertheless proceed for the couple as planned, with the dates unchanged, despite the election.

But Minister of Defence and Deputy Prime Minister Troels Lund Poulsen, who was announced as one of the ministers scheduled to accompany the royals on the state visit, was a casualty of this unfortunate timing. Just days ago, B.T. confirmed the leader of the Liberal Party opted to bow out of the international visit and prepare his party for the election.

King Frederik's former royal bodyguards, Jesper Lundorf, explained that the royals typically travel on commercial flights for long-haul flights. This offered an explanation why recent flight route chaos over the Middle East region affected the royals' travel plans

Meanwhile, any Aussie royal fans hoping to catch a glimpse of Queen Mary in Australia wearing one of her most famous and fabulous crown jewels are also set to be disappointed - and it all comes down to another little-known royal protocol.

Despite the meaningful milestone of this trip being the first time a reigning Australian-born queen has visited in an official capacity, Mary's most famous tiaras - known as Denmark's 'forbidden jewels' - will remain safely locked up back in the Scandinavian country.

This is because part of the Danish crown jewel collection belongs to the state, meaning these pieces must remain in Denmark at all times and cannot travel abroad - not even for official engagements. It should be noted that this is different from some other monarchies who hold personal possession of their royal jewels and tiaras.

For instance, this rules out Aussies' chance of sighting the iconic emerald parure, one of the most significant pieces of the Danish royal collection. It's state property, so it must stay in Denmark.

However, we may yet get to see our Aussie queen topped with a crown during the visit, as the restriction applies only to jewels owned by the state. Here's hoping she digs up something fabulous to wear atop her head from either the royal family's private trust or her personal collection.

This landmark visit is historic, marking the first time in 40 years that a Danish monarch has travelled to Australia.

At the time of publication, the Danish Royal House had yet to release the full programme for their visit.

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 on three occasions previously made state visits to Australia. They've also made numerous trips back home in a private capacity.

Aussie royal fans hoping to see Queen Mary wearing some of the most magnificent royal crown jewels will be disappointed to learn that protocol prevents them from leaving Denmark. This includes this significant emerald parure from the royal collection that Mary wore in a 2024 portrait

Some details of their itinerary have been widely reported, including that 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 at Uluru.

In the nation's capital, Governor-General Sam Mostyn will host Queen Mary and King Frederik.

The royal couple will also meet Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who spilled the beans on the royal tour in a live radio interview in January, even before the Danish Royal House had a chance to confirm the news!

Prime Minister Albanese also 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.'

In Canberra, the royals will also reportedly visit federal parliament and be ceremonially welcomed with a 21-gun salute.

Queen Mary is expected to wear some kind of tiara from either the royal family's private trust or her personal collection when she attends the state banquet evening while in Australia. She's pictured here with Frederik earlier this year attending a state banquet in Estonia

Any royal state visit always includes an elegant state banquet. Additionally, it has been reported that several festive and elegant evenings have been planned for the duration of the royals' trip.

The final leg of the tour to the Apple Isle will hold extra special meaning to Mary and Tasmanians alike. The Danish Queen's homecoming to the place where she grew up is anticipated to bring an added layer of excitement.

As declared in the initial royal announcement of the state visit, the overarching intention of the trip is to 'further develop the already strong relations between Australia and Denmark, both culturally, economically, and in terms of foreign policy.'

'A strengthened partnership with Australia is particularly important at a time when geopolitical shifts have economic and security implications that link developments in Europe and the Indo-Pacific region,' the statement released on January 30 reads.

'Building on the strategic partnership between Australia and Denmark signed in 2023, the state visit aims to enhance cooperation across a broad range of areas, including the green transition and economic security.'

The tour announcement also explained that the trip would have a 'green focus', with the royals travelling to Australia accompanied by the Minister for Climate, Energy, and Utilities, along with a large business delegation.

'Green transition will be a key focus of the visit,' the Royal House announcement continued.

'Fifty-five accompanying Danish companies will participate in the official business promotion initiative "Partnering for a Green, Secure and Sustainable Tomorrow." The initiative is intended to promote cooperation in the fields of renewable energy and energy-efficient urban development.'

The declared intention behind the state visit is to 'further develop the already strong relations between Australia and Denmark, both culturally, economically, and in terms of foreign policy'. Queen Mary and King Frederik are pictured here in Copenhagen in February

The announcement concluded: 'Denmark and Australia share an interest in nature and cultural conservation and elements related to nature and culture will form part of the state visit.'

Despite the myriad of potential roadblocks in planning the trip, the CEO of the Confederation of Danish Industry Lars Sandahl Sørensen was among those who were relieved that they had found a way to proceed as planned.

'We have a very special connection and association with Australia through Her Majesty the Queen and expect a lot of attention to Denmark from both domestic and Australian media,' he told Danish Industri.

'That is why we are also pleased that the Royal House is prioritising visiting Australia right now. We need all the good forces that can shed light on what Denmark has to offer in these times,' Lars added.

'We are in a time when our traditional export markets are challenged, and therefore it is crucial that Denmark and Europe strengthen cooperation with other stable and ambitious markets. Because even though Australia is geographically far away, we are close to them in many other ways - politically, structurally and culturally.'