Crown Princess Mary of Denmark put on a stylish display as she attended the England vs Denmark football match at Wembley stadium this evening.
The Australian-born royal, 49, who opted for the colours of the Danish flag, was joined by her husband Crown Prince Frederik, 53, and their 15-year-old son Prince Christian as they prepared to cheer on their country’s football team in the crucial Euros 2020 game.
The mother-of-four – born Mary Donaldson in Hobart, Tasmania – chose a white top and dark red blazer, which she paired with trousers and accessorised with a tan coloured belt which cinched her in at the waist.
Taking to the stands, the royals could all be seen putting safety first by donning a protective face mask – complete with a Danish flag – to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
The Danish Royal Family posted a photograph of the three of them posing in the stands at Wembley stadium alongside a caption which translates to: ‘Just arrived at Wembley! Unity has brought us here – and let us show them that we are not going home, but we must move on. Come on, Denmark!’
Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, 49, put on a stylish display as she attended the England vs Denmark football match at Wembley stadium this evening
The Australian-born royal, who opted for the colours of the Danish flag, was joined by her husband Crown Prince Frederik, 53, and their 15-year-old son Prince Christian (pictured)
Crown Princess Mary, who wore her brown hair down in a loose blowdry, added just a pair of dainty earrings and kept her makeup neutral – finishing the look with just a touch of blusher, nude lip and layering of mascara.
Prince Frederik, meanwhile, wore a navy blazer and white crisp shirt with smart beige trousers, while Prince Christian cut a more relaxed figure in a Denmark football shirt and navy trousers.
The trip comes just a month after Mary was made a regent by her mother-in-law, Queen Margrethe, meaning she can perform duties as head of state when the Queen is otherwise engaged.
Mary was the fourth member of the Danish royal family to be named regent after Frederik, his brother Prince Joachim, and the Queen’s sister Princess Benedikte, who are all official stand-ins for the monarch.
The Crown Princess will become Queen of Denmark when Frederik ascends to the throne, following the death or abdication of his mother.
However, the Danish press have been up in arms since it first emerged that the country’s royal family will watch the national team play England in person at Wembley Stadium while millions of Danish football fans are being forced to watch the Euro 2020 semi-final from home.
Prince Frederik wore a navy blazer and white crisp shirt with smart beige trousers, while Prince Christian cut a more relaxed figure in a Denmark football shirt and navy trousers. Pictured, alongside Crown Princess Mary of Denmark
Crown Princess Mary wore her brown hair down in a loose blowdry and added just a pair of dainty earrings to complete her ensemble
The royal kept her makeup neutral – completing the look with just a touch of blusher, nude lip and layering of mascara. Pictured, with son Prince Christian
Prince Christian of Denmark waves to the crowds as he joined his parents at Wembley stadium for the semi-final showdown tonight
Crown Princess Mary of Denmark took to Wembley stadium to watch Denmark in the much-anticipated Euro 2020 semi-final match this evening
The Danish press have been up in arms since it first emerged that the country’s royal family will watch the national team play England in person at Wembley Stadium while millions of Danish football fans are being forced to watch the Euro 2020 semi-final from home. Pictured, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark and her son Prince Christian, 15
Prince Christian, 15, who sported a Danish football shirt, could be seen pointing to something in the crowd as his father Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark looked on
Taking to the stands, the royals could also be seen putting safety first by donning a protective face mask – complete with a Danish flag – to prevent the spread of Covid-19
Crown Princess Mary of Denmark and her son Prince Christian before the UEFA EURO 2020 semi final between England and Denmark in London
The country’s biggest newspaper Ekstra Bladet was among those slamming royals including Australian-born Crown Princess Mary and her son as they left for London yesterday to watch the much-anticipated clash against Gareth Southgate’s squad.
Newspaper editor Henrik Qvortrup railed in an editorial that ‘blue blood gives immunity in all respects’. However, the Danish royal family hit back at the criticism and instead insisted that it was ‘completely natural’ that it ‘represents Denmark’ at the match.
However, while Prince William represented the British monarchy, his wife, the Duchess of Cambridge, was forced to self-isolate when she came into contact with someone who tested positive – despite being double-jabbed and testing negative for the virus herself.
Under a deal struck between the British government and UEFA, 2,500 VIPs including royals, politicians and football officials are skipping quarantine so they can watch the match live – while millions of Denmark supporters are forced to stay at home and watch it on their TVs instead.
Just 6,000 expat Danes living in Britain have been allocated tickets among the 60,000-strong Wembley crowd after fans living in Denmark were told not to travel otherwise they would fall foul of the mandatory 10 days of self-isolation.
Denmark fans vowed to ‘come by sea like the Vikings’ as they raged at the Covid rules, with one messaging Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Instagram directly and writing: ‘Why the f*** are Danish fans not allowed at Wembley? If you don’t allow us to take a plane we will do like in the good old days and come by sea. Be ready for a Danish sausage, w*******.’
The English-language Copenhagen Post wrote: ‘The storm over petty entry requirements, which ensure no Danish fans can travel to support their team in the Euro 2020 semi-final on Wednesday, is quickly escalating into the biggest affront to this country since the British Navy firebombed Copenhagen in 1807. Some observers might even go as far as saying it’s cheating.’
Mr Qvortrup, editor of Ekstra Bladet, saw red at the apparent hypocrisy of allowing VIPs to enter the UK for the match. He wrote in an editorial: ‘The Posh are welcome. Others are not.
‘We cannot interpret it any differently when Danish fans are not allowed to travel to England and watch the national team, while those who sit in the most expensive seats are allowed to.
‘The British authorities have strict restrictions on the football fans who pay and create the atmosphere and the joy of football, but at the same time roll out the red carpet to people with VIP status and money.
‘Ekstra Bladet has been told that there will be representatives from the royal family present at Wembley. The royal crown couple and Prince Christian. (…) As we all know, blue blood gives immunity in all respects.’
Ministers reportedly agreed a deal with UEFA to exempt officials, politicians and sponsors from travel restrictions so they can go to the semi-finals and final. But the VIPs, who are thought to number in the ‘low thousands’, will have to remain in a ‘bubble’ during their visit, reports suggest.
The deal comes after UEFA threatened to move the games to Hungary unless the British government eased coronavirus travel restrictions for its officials and sponsors.
As part of the deal, around 2,500 VIPs would be allowed into the country and be given special permission to bypass usual travel restrictions, according to the Times newspaper.
Currently, most of Europe is on the UK’s ‘amber list’, which would usually force arrivals into a self-imposed quarantine for 10 days. But under the plans, which the Telegraph said were negotiated by Boris Johnson’s chief of staff Dan Rosenfield, a window for quarantine free entry will be opened for VIPs.
According to the paper, the window will remain in place until after the final, which is being played on July 11.
The VIPs will need to provide a negative test before leaving for the UK, and will have to undergo testing during their stay, according to the reports. They will also be restricted to staying in selected hotels and to official meetings and matches.
However, most of the VIPs will fly in and out on the same day as the match they are attending. Wembley has 60,000 fans in it tonight – meaning it is at 75 per cent capacity.
Crown Prince Frederik, 53, his wife Princess Mary, 49, and their 15-year-old son Prince Christian have been given exemptions to travel to London for the clash. All three have been invited by the Danish Football Union to join officials at Wembley.
To help generate atmosphere despite being outnumbered, Danes living in Britain are being sent free Denmark football shirts and flags to help them cheer on their team.
Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary, pictured with their four children, Prince Christian, Prince Vincent, Princess Josephine and Princess Isabella, when they celebrated their ten-year wedding anniversary on May 14th 2014
Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark attend the UEFA EURO 2020 Group B football match between Denmark and Belgium at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen on June 17, 2021
Fans gathered in Denmark yesterday to wave off their players ahead of their clash against England at Wembley
Lars Thuesen, the country’s ambassador in London, explained how the 30,000 or so Danes who live in the UK had been able to apply to buy each of around 5,000 tickets set aside for followers of the team.
Each fan had to produce ID showing their Danish citizenship and pay £10 to join the Danish supporters’ association which made them eligible.
He said: ‘That £10 is going to be used for flags and shirts and they are going to send them to Wembley to be ready on Wednesday evening,’ he said. ‘They are extremely excited. It is all over social media for Danes living in London. There is a huge interest.’
However, Danes remain furious at the Covid-hit arrangements for the match. The Danish Foreign Ministry tried to gain dispensation for travelling Danish fans, but was turned down, reported Danish channel TV2.
‘The Danish ambassador in London has been in contact with the British authorities, but they refused to make a deal for the semi-final like the one made for the final,’ it noted.
The Post railed: ‘Denmark’s infection rate has been very low of late – to the extent that its residents can travel to almost every country with similarly low rates in Europe.
‘But the toys the UK threw out of its pram following Brexit are still on the floor. Its list of approved countries is widely considered as a joke (mostly Commonwealth members and obscure islands – so you’re in luck British Indian Ocean Territory, whoever you might be) and only includes two EU countries: Malta and the touristy bits in Spain.
‘To obtain entry to the UK, ten days of quarantine is necessary – even if you have been fully vaccinated.’
Spokesman for the Royals Lene Balleby hit back: ‘It is completely natural that the royal family represents Denmark.’
The Royals’ Instagram page has shown Frederik and Christian at group matches, and Christian wearing a kit with the name of his idol Christian Eriksen on.
Crown Princess Mary showed her support by donning the colours of their flag when she was a guest of the Group B Denmark versus Belgium match in Copenhagen.
It was the team’s first match since Danish footballer Christian Eriksen collapsed with a cardiac arrest in their opening game of Euro 2020.
Outspoken editor Qvortrup, 57, is no stranger to controversy after being the editor-in-chief of the controversial tabloid Se & Hør (See & Listen). He was jailed for three months in 2016 for illegally obtaining and misusing credit card information to track the whereabouts of the rich and famous.
Football VIPs are allowed to visit the UK without having to quarantine as part of a deal to keep the Euro 2020 finals in England.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin said last month: ‘It is great news that so many fans will be able to watch the final three matches of the Euro 2020 at Wembley.
‘The last 18 months have taught us – both on and off the pitch – how integral fans are to the fabric of the game. This tournament has been a beacon of hope to reassure people that we are returning to a more normal way of life and this is a further step along that road.
‘I am grateful to the prime minister and the UK government for their hard work in finalising these arrangements with us, to make the tournament final stages a great success in Wembley.’
The move was roundly slammed by Tory MPs who described it as ‘morally inconsistent’.
The revelation from the Danish Royals comes on the day Britons faced more pandemic gloom as they were told the requirement for the double-jabbed to self-isolate will not be dropped until August 16.
Mr Javid said the ‘protective wall’ thrown up by vaccines meant ministers can ‘look afresh’ at rules when people are ‘pinged’ for contact with an infected individual.
From the middle of next month people who have received two doses can take PCR tests rather than self-isolating. Under-18s will also not be subject to the restrictions from the same date.
But the timetable means ‘scary’ numbers will be caught in the system after ‘Freedom Day’ on July 19, with furious businesses warning they are on the brink of disaster with ‘massive’ staff absence and customers bailout out of bookings.
Danish team heading for London and fans cheering as they wave them goodbye ahead of the match
Spirits appeared to be high among the Danish players as they headed to London today
The rise in coronavirus cases has been driving up the numbers forced to self-isolate after being ‘pinged’ – with the trend now set to continue into the middle of August
Others also raged the government is failing to provide any clarity on the rules for getting staff back in offices.
Mr Javid told the Commons he had looked at changing the isolation rules earlier, but was ‘more comfortable’ waiting until even more people are vaccinated.
He said: ‘As we make this change we will be drawing on the huge capacity we have built for testing and sequencing and advising close contacts who are fully vaccinated to take a PCR test as soon as possible so they can get certainty about their condition.’
Anyone who tests positive will have to self-isolate, regardless of their vaccination status.
‘This new approach means that we can manage the virus in a way that is proportionate to the pandemic while maintaining the freedoms that are so important to us all.’
As under-18s are not routinely jabbed, a similar exemption from self-isolation rules will be extended to them.
‘Anyone under the age of 18 who is a close contact of a positive case will no longer have to self-isolate.
‘Instead they will be given advice about whether they should get tested, dependent on their age, and will need to self-isolate only if they test positive.’
Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mary, Countess of Monpezat, was ‘just’ Mary, a marketing manager at an advertisement company, when she met Crown Prince Frederik at a bar in Sydney during the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.
Tasmanian-born Mary, the youngest daughter of two Scottish immigrants – maths professor John and university secretary Henrietta, has previously said she ‘never dreamed of becoming a princess, I wanted to be a veterinarian,’ and did not know who the man who introduced himself as ‘Fred’ was at first.
‘The first time we met we shook hands. I didn’t know he was the prince of Denmark. Half an hour later someone came up to me and said, ‘Do you know who these people are?,’ revealed Mary as reported by Hello magazine.
Born in 1972 the Princess studied at the University of Tasmania and graduated in 1994 with a Bachelors degree in Commerce and Law.
‘We went for long walks along beach, prepared good food – or rather I did because Mary isn’t that good at it – so we were able to really get to know each other,’ Prince Frederik previously told Australia’s Women’s Weekly.
‘It was all laughing and talking and gradually opening up for one another,’ he said of his time wooing his now wife.
Separated by geography the couple continued their relationship long distance. Despite being spotted together several times in both Denmark and Australia, and Mary moving to Europe in 2001, it was not until April 2003 that Queen Margrethe publicly acknowledged their relationship.
In his 2008 autobiography entitled Frederik – kronprins af Danmark, the royal male revealed that he proposed to Mary during a trip to Rome in September 2003, but as tradition dictates he had already written to Mary’s father John Donaldson asking for his daughter’s hand in marriage, as reported by the Courier Mail.
Speaking of his actual proposal he revealed: ‘I said to her, ‘You cannot say no, you mustn’t say no, you just have to say yes’. And then she said ‘yes’, and it was wonderful. I was so happy.’
In the pages of his book the Prince who calls Mary his ‘soul mate’ and said he was attracted to her because ‘she was a bit secretive but also very beautiful’.
Despite initially having no idea who the European royal was, their relationship soon became the stuff of fairytales and they tied the knot on May 14, 2004 in Copenhagen Cathedral in the Danish capital.
The country’s biggest newspaper Ekstra Bladet was among those slamming royals including Australian-born Crown Princess Mary and her son as they left for London today to watch the much-anticipated clash against Gareth Southgate’s squad
Denmark is facing Gareth Southgate’s men in front of a 60,000-strong crowd tonight – though only 8,000 of their own fans are allowed to attend
A worker seen boarding up the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain, also known as Eros, in Piccadilly Circus ahead of the Euro 2020 semi-finals and final
Eros, seen in Piccadilly Circus ahead of the Euro 2020 semi-finals and final. The London landmark was boarded up ahead of the remaining football matches to protect the monument and to prevent fans from climbing it,
The guestlist included the Kings and Queens of Sweden, Norway, Spain, Belgium and The Netherlands as well as Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, and Sophie, Countess of Wessex.
Mary donned a dress created by Danish fashion designer Uffe Frank and a veil first used by Crown Princess Margareta of Sweden, Queen Victoria’s granddaughter.
Mary was given the title of Crown Princess of Denmark, set to become the first ever Australian-born Queen consort if and when Crown Prince Frederik takes the throne.
The pair share four children; Prince Christian born in October 2005, Princess Isabella, born in April 2007, and twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine born in January 2011.
While they reside at Frederik VIII’s Palace in Denmark, they are frequent visitors to Australia, with Mary often bringing her brood home to see her family.
Back in 2016, Crown Princess Mary made it clear where her loyalties lie.
In a tongue-in-cheek interview with the Daily Mail Online, the Australian born royal confessed she was supporting Australian athletes in Rio, so long as they were not competing against the Danes.
‘I’ll absolutely support Australians so long as they’re not competing against a Dane,’ Princess Mary said with a laugh.