Queen Mary makes top secret visit to Australia to catch up with family and friends

Queen Mary has made a top secret visit to Australia, the first since husband Frederik X was proclaimed King of Denmark in January.

The 52-year-old managed to fly under the radar before she was spotted by paparazzi enjoying Sydney's sunshine on Wednesday.

Queen Mary, wearing black shorts, a black top and a black cap, was seen walking along the sands at Bronte Beach with her youngest daughter Princess Josephine, 13, and friend Amber Petty, who was bridesmaid at the royal wedding in 2004.

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It's believed Mary and her party did the popular Bondi to Bronte walk, making the most of Sydney's warm weather.

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Queen Mary was last in Australia in December, just weeks before Queen Margrethe II used her New Year's Eve address to announce she would be abdicating the Danish throne.

King Frederik acceded the throne on January 14 with Queen Mary at his side at Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen.

They were joined on the balcony by their four children: Crown Prince Christian, 19, Princess Isabella, 17 and twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, 13.

The family of five later appeared on the balcony of their home, Frederik VIII's Palace at Amalienborg, waving to the adoring crowds below.

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Frederik has not joined his wife for the whirlwind visit and it's unclear whether their other children are in Australia with Mary. Crown Prince Christian is currently in Africa on an extended break until December.

When Queen Mary was last in Australia in December, she was joined by Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine and they climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

They then travelled to Tasmania to visit Mary's family before flying to New Zealand where they were reunited with Frederik.

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Queen Mary is likely to be visiting Tasmania again during this trip. But she has an event scheduled for Sunday in Denmark so it's been a quick one.

Her father, John Donaldson, is 82 and did not travel to Denmark to watch his daughter become Queen in January due to his age and health, a palace spokesperson said at the time.

On February 5, Queen Mary shared a personal photograph to mark her 52nd birthday. It was taken by Prince Vincent in December, showing Mary and her father together during the visit to Australia.

Mary's father previously lived in Denmark and the UK before returning to Tasmania with his wife, Susan.

Queen Mary last carried out an official duty in Australia on April 28, 2023, riding a bike through Sydney's CBD on a one-day visit focused on sustainability and green energy.

She and Frederik last toured Australia in an official capacity in 2013.

It's hoped the new King and Queen will return next year for formal engagements.

The royal family have made a number of private visits to Australia over the years, including having Christmas Down Under with her family in Hobart in 2022.

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Mary's daughters raid her wardrobe for night at the ballet

Australia recently welcomed King Charles and Queen Camilla for their first official visit since the coronation.

And the Duchess of York is in Western Australia for a speaking engagement in Perth on Friday, before travelling to Sydney next week.

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