Queen Mary has admitted to feeling overwhelmed “at times” in recent months in her first interview since ascending the throne in Denmark.
The Australian-born royal opened up about her new life alongside husband, King Frederik X, as they moved their official residence to the Royal Yacht Danneborg for the European summer.
“It is very new and there are many changes and decisions,” she said of becoming the country’s rulers, before gushing over the moment her husband had been proclaimed King in January.
“I stood with the children and when you stepped out onto the balcony towards your fate, it was a moment that moved me incredibly much,” Mary said of the momentous occasion.
“We could hear and feel it, even if we couldn’t see it. It was a beautiful moment. I was both very happy and very proud.”
The couple’s marriage has been under scrutiny since late last year, when rumours of infidelity began circulating after the then-Crown Prince was spotted on a night out in Madrid with a Mexican socialite.
Frederik and Genoveva Casanova were photographed dining together, visiting an art exhibition, and even going into her apartment for two hours, according to reports published at the time.
As speculation subsequently mounted about Mary and Frederik’s marriage, the timing of Queen Margrethe II’s abdication less than two months later – after 52 years on the throne – was suggested by many to have been an attempt at damage control.
However, the royal couple appeared more united than ever in their first joint interview since becoming King and Queen, with Frederik notably using “we” numerous times.
“It is a great pleasure to board the Dannebrog,” the King told the reporter.
“We have embarked on our calling and our work, which symbolically happens with this action on the royal ship. It is very special.”
He added that his proclamation was “overwhelming and moving.”
“I felt extremely well received. The highlight was when Mary and the children came out and stood right behind me and I had the Danes standing in front of me and waving. It was one of the most amazing things to experience in my life.”
It comes after Frederik praised his wife and the fact they’ve “managed to stay together” in a book published in January, just days into his reign.
The royal took part in a series of interviews about his life for The King’s Word, in which he gushed over his life with Mary, whom he met in Sydney in 2000.
“I love marriage, my wife, our children and the whole happy base that arises for the people who manage to stay together and persevere,” the King said in the biography, which was written in collaboration with author Jens Anderson.
The royal had a well-publicised reputation as a playboy prior to meeting Mary, now 51, but added that their relationship had finally made him content.
“I remember how my mother, Queen Margrethe, said in her wedding speech in 2004 that I had found peace and joy with Mary,” Frederik said.
He also spoke candidly about his desire for a normal life and the dread he felt as the burden of being heir to the throne loomed large in his formative years, explaining that he had “just wanted to be like all other boys of my age”.
“I remember my 18th birthday as something similar to the end of the world.
“It was the feeling that now everything that was fun and exciting was coming to an end,” he said.
“Fortunately, it didn’t.”
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