Princess Mary's dad will not be attending her accession this weekend

Princess Mary's dad will not be attending her accession this weekend

WATCH NOW: Queen of Denmark shocks nation with abdication

GB News
Dorothy Reddin

By Dorothy Reddin


Published: 12/01/2024

- 19:43

John Donaldson lives in Australia and is originally from Scotland

Princess Mary of Denmark's father will not be attending her accession ceremony this weekend, it has been confirmed.

The Crown Princess's father, who works as a maths teacher, will not be in the crowd when Mary ascends to the Danish throne on Sunday, January 14.


John Donaldson, 82, will instead remain at his home in Australia.

The Royal House's head of communications, Lene Balleby, told local media the future Queen is close with her 82-year-old father.

John Donaldson and Crown Princess Mary

Princess Mary's dad will not be attending her accession this weekend

Getty

However, he is unable to travel due to his age and health.

This is the second royal event Donaldson has had to skip in recent years, the last being Princess Isabella's Confirmation.

The princess said at the time: "Unfortunately, my father is not coming.

"He is getting to be an elderly gentleman and he is not well enough to take the long trip back to Denmark for a confirmation, but he is with us in our hearts."

Princess Mary and Prince Frederik

Princess Mary and Prince Frederik will become King and Queen on Sunday

Reuters

Donaldson has thrown his full support behind his daughter as a royal.

The 82-year-old even lived in Denmark with his wife Susan Moody for several years.

He taught at both Aarhus and Copenhagen University and became famous for wearing a kilt at Mary's wedding to Crown Prince Frederik in 2004.

The Crown Princess's mother, Henrietta Donaldson, died from a heart condition in 1997 when Mary was just 25 years old.

Crown Princess Mary and Crown Prince FrederikCrown Princess Mary is originally from Australia but has Scottish parentsReuters
Crown Princess Mary and Crown Prince Frederik

Crown Princess Mary and Crown Prince Frederik married in 2004

Reuters

The Australian princess has been described as "the real power behind the throne" and is loved by the Danish people.

She stood by Queen Margrethe during her controversial decision to strip Prince Joachim's children's royal titles.

Joachim, Crown Prince Frederik's younger brother, has confirmed he will attend the event on Sunday, but without his wife Princess Marie and their children.

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