How Queen Mary survived 20 years of scandals to rise to the throne

Originally from Tasmania, Mary Donaldson has lived a fairy tale for over 20 years. She has now been crowned Queen of Denmark alongside her husband, Crown Prince Frederik, following the surprising abdication of his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who led Denmark for 52 years. Princess Mary has faced numerous scandals over the years but has weathered them all with grace and is widely respected worldwide. Frederik André Henrik Christian was born on May 26, 1968, four years before his mother became Queen. Mary Elizabeth Donaldson was born in Hobart on February 5, 1972, to a father who was a mathematics professor and an executive assistant mother. The royal couple met at a Sydney pub called the Slip Inn during the 2000 Olympics. She did not know he was a prince. Their relationship became public in 2001. In 2002, she moved to Denmark, converted to the Lutheran Church, and began learning Danish. On May 14, 2004, the couple married at Copenhagen Cathedral. They welcomed their first child, Prince Christian, on October 15, 2005, and their second child, Princess Isabella, on April 21, 2007. Twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine were born on January 8, 2011. Last year, rumors spread that Prince Frederik was having an affair with Mexican socialite Geneveva Casanova. In October, he flew to Madrid for a private visit while Princess Mary was in New York. Spanish tabloid Lecturas photographed him with Ms Casanova, visiting a Picasso exhibition and having dinner. The publication alleged he spent several hours at her apartment. The socialite and philanthropist, who is 47 years old, was previously married to Spanish aristocrat Cayetano Martinez de Irujo, with whom she had twins Luis Martinez de Irujo and Amine Martinez de Irujo. It is worth noting that the Queen's husband also needed help with his title. In 1967, Princess Margrethe married French count and diplomat Henri Marie Jean Andre, who was raised in Vietnam. Prince Consort Henrik kept his title when his wife ascended to the throne in 1972, but he publicly complained about not being given the title of King. In 2017, he expressed his desire not to be buried next to his wife in Roskilde Cathedral. He had dementia and was cremated after his death at the age of 83. Prince Christian was expelled from his boarding school in 2022 following a bullying scandal that was exposed in a documentary. The documentary included allegations of assault and abuse made by students. The royal couple also announced that Princess Isabella would not be attending the Herlufsholm Boarding School as planned.