Time is running out for Queen Mary and King Frederik to face up to a royal family image problem. They've remained silent so far - but it can't go on
The Danish royal family is in mourning following the heartbreaking news of the passing of Queen Mary's father, Professor John Dalgleish Donaldson.
But it's not the only troubling issue weighing heavily on their minds.
Mary's father died aged 84 in Hobart, Tasmania, with the royal house confirming his death followed years of declining health.
Poignantly, Mary had only visited her father weeks earlier, at the conclusion of the wildly successful state visit to Australia with her husband, King Frederik.
A poetic but grief-stricken statement from Mary, shared by the royal household, confirmed that her 'heart is heavy' and 'thoughts are grey'.
'But I know that when the grief settles, the memories will brighten my day, and what will remain strongest is love and gratitude for everything he gave me and taught me,' Mary's statement continued.
With plans in the works for a 'private memorial service' to be held 'at a later date', for now the priority for the Danish royals – and particularly the Queen – will be to come to terms with the loss.
Yet behind this latest tragedy lies a far more sinister problem simmering beneath the surface - one that's rapidly becoming impossible to ignore.
Queen Mary is pictured with her father, Professor John Dalgleish Donaldson, who recently passed away following a period of ill-health
Queen Mary had recently visited her father at the end of a state visit to Australia. She is seen here delivering an emotional address on the final day of the tour in her hometown of Tasmania
The Danish royal tour wrapped up in the Tasmanian city of Hobart and memorably saw Queen Mary and King Frederik greeted by throngs of well-wishers
In neighbouring Norway, a royal closely linked to the Danish palace faces intense public scrutiny and mounting pressure.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit - godmother to Queen Mary and King Frederik's eldest son, Crown Prince Christian, the heir to the Danish throne - is now embroiled in a profound crisis of her own.
The latest scandal engulfing Norway's future Queen erupted when she was named in US Department of Justice files linked to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation - following years of denials from both her and the royal family about any substantial association.
Until the documents surfaced, the official stance had been that Epstein and the Crown Princess only crossed paths in social gatherings with others present.
But the files released on January 30 revealed a far closer relationship than previously admitted.
Norwegian newspaper VG reported that Crown Princess Mette-Marit was referenced in more than a thousand documents.
The wife of Crown Prince Haakon was found to have exchanged extensive correspondence with Epstein, unearthing what appears to be a prolonged friendship and association with the disgraced American financier, who died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.
Once the documents came to light, the Norwegian princess was forced to come clean. She issued an apology, admitting she 'must take responsibility for not having investigated Epstein's background more thoroughly, and for not realising sooner what kind of person he was'.
Queen Mary and King Frederik have always enjoyed a close relationship with neighbouring royal families, such as the Norwegian royals. They are pictured here in 2024 with (from L to R) Denmark's Princess Astrid Fru Ferner, Norway's Queen Sonja, King Harald, Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Crown Prince Haakon
In a recent TV interview, Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit said she regrets her friendship with Jeffrey Epstein
'I deeply regret this, and it is a responsibility I must bear,' Mette-Marit's statement continued.
'I showed poor judgment and regret having had any contact with Epstein at all. It is simply embarrassing.'
She's also since given a teary TV interview with public broadcaster NRK, claiming she was 'manipulated and deceived' and regrets ever having met Epstein.
And this was only the most recent of a spate of scandals befalling Mette-Marit.
Marius, 29, has been accused of around 40 offences ranging from four counts of rape and serious assault, to abuse, drug offences and traffic violations.
In court, defence lawyers acting on his behalf have denied the most serious charges including rape. They have, however, admitted he was guilty of some charges, including transporting 3.5kg of marijuana, breaching a restraining order, reckless driving, and other offences.
The judge's verdict is expected in June.
While there is no suggestion that the alleged criminal actions of Mette-Marit's adult son are a reflection on her, she is inevitably facing public scrutiny.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit is pictured with her eldest son Marius Borg Høiby, who is in the midst of a criminal rape trial
Furthermore, the episode has plunged the entire Norwegian royal family into crisis, as for many years Marius was raised alongside the royal family, without officially being a member of it.
Mette-Marit's eldest son was four years old when she married Crown Prince Haakon and Marius grew up with their two children, his younger half-siblings Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus.
Princess Ingrid is of course now well-known to Aussies as she's currently living Down Under while studying a three-year degree at the University of Sydney.
Since the allegations against Marius emerged in recent years, Crown Prince Haakon and the family have moved to distance themselves, reminding the public that he is not a member of the Royal House, has no official role, and is autonomous.
They have expressed familial care as he is Mette-Marit's son and Haakon's stepson, but ultimately made it clear that he is not the responsibility of the royal household.
So why does all of this pose a major problem for the Danish royal family?
It all traces back to the longstanding ties linking the Scandinavian royal families - and, more pointedly, to Mette-Marit's ceremonial role as godmother to Denmark's future king.
It's an issue highlighted by royal commentator Trine Villemann, who told EkstraBladet that the Danish royals now face a 'dilemma' over whether or not they should continue to be associated with the scandal-plagued Norwegian Crown Princess.
Villemann speculated about major future events involving Christian, suggesting there could be problems if protocol calls for inviting a godparent or fellow royal - posing a dilemma for occasions where Mette-Marit would typically be expected to attend.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit is the godmother to Queen Mary's eldest son, Crown Prince Christian. Mary, Mette-Marit and Crown Prince Haakon of Norway are pictured here in 2022
Queen Mary and Crown Princess Mette-Marit are pictured here together in 2024 during a state visit to Norway
The Danish royal family were last photographed all together in Copenhagen following church on Easter Sunday. Pictured (from L to R) Princess Josephine, Princess Isabella, Prince Vincent, Queen Mary, King Frederik and Crown Prince Christian
'Can you be in the same room with someone who has had such a close relationship with a convicted sex offender [like Epstein]?' Villemann questioned.
'She is the guest no one wants to see with royal eyes. And that can't change, I think.'
The current scandals surrounding Princess Mette-Marit are not something the Norwegian royal family can simply disassociate from. The fact remains that she is married to the future King of Norway.
But in Denmark, it might be a different story because she's not their princess.
Furthermore, Villemann suggested that the Danish public won't 'take kindly to the Danish royal couple associating with someone like Crown Princess Mette-Marit', referencing how her adamant denials of a relationship with Epstein eroded trust with the Danish public.
Accordingly, Villemann summed up that it was no longer 'a desirable situation' for the Danish royals to be associated with Mette-Marit.
'In my eyes, she has damaged her reputation so much that she serves no purpose whatsoever for either the Norwegian or any other monarchy,' the royal commentator scathingly added.
For now, Queen Mary and King Frederik have closed ranks to process the latest devastating family news – and no one would begrudge Mary, in particular, for taking as long as she needs.
But at some point, the Danish monarchy will have to face up to the situation involving their fellow royal Princess Mette-Marit, and the impact her scandals could potentially have on their own perception and image.
Will they take a stance and publicly cut ties with someone who threatens to tarnish the Danish royal family's otherwise sterling reputation? That remains to be seen.
