A newly released video has captured Queen Mary of Denmark sharing a heartfelt moment with her older sister, Jane Stephens, ahead of her historic first balcony appearance as monarch.
The Tasmanian-born Queen, 52, and her husband, King Frederik X, 56, ascended the Danish throne on 14 January last year, following the abdication of Queen Margrethe.
This milestone saw Mary become the first Australian to serve as Queen of a European monarchy.
While the proclamation ceremony was broadcast globally, the Danish palace has now shared previously unseen footage to commemorate the first anniversary of Frederik’s reign.
In the video shared on Instagram, Mary and Frederik are seen walking inside the palace with their four children, Prince Christian, 19, Princess Isabella, 17, and 13-year-old twins, Princess Josephine and Prince Vincent behind them.
A particularly touching moment features Mary warmly embracing her eldest sibling, Jane Stephens, 60, exchanging kisses on the cheek and a knowing glance.
Stephens, a Hobart-based pharmacist, wore a sophisticated purple coat for the occasion.
The sisters have reportedly maintained a close bond during Mary’s two decades in Denmark.
Stephens was a bridesmaid at Mary’s 2004 wedding to Frederik, alongside their other sister, Patricia, and Mary’s friend Amber Petty.
She is also godmother to Mary’s eldest son, Prince Christian, who is next in line to the throne after his father.
Mary’s other siblings, Patricia Anne Bailey, 57, and John Donaldson, 55, were not in attendance at the event.
Her father, Scottish-Australian professor John Dalgleish Donaldson, and stepmother, British novelist Susan Moody, were also absent due to health concerns.
Mary’s mother, Henrietta Donaldson, died from a heart condition in 1997, three years before Mary met Frederik at a Sydney pub.
In a previous interview, Stephens has expressed how proud their late mother would have been of Mary’s achievements.
“Mary has embraced her role as crown princess with dignity and grace, earning the admiration and respect of people all over the world,” Stephens told The Mercury in 2022 ahead of Mary’s 50th birthday.
“Our mother would have been bursting with love and pride.”
On proclamation day, an estimated 100,000 Danes lined the streets of Copenhagen, with millions more watching through media coverage.
The newly shared video also includes a moment where Frederik warmly hugs his younger brother, Prince Joachim, after years of reports of family tension over royal titles.
Their son, Crown Prince Christian, is seen stepping in to support his father with a pat on the back as Frederik becomes visibly emotional before stepping onto the palace balcony.
Christian, increasingly active in royal duties, recently served as regent while his parents enjoyed a weekend away.
On New Year’s Day, the 19-year-old made his debut at the traditional New Year’s levée at Amalienborg Palace, a significant milestone in his preparation for his future role as Denmark’s King.