The Queen of Denmark is "terrified of losing Mary", according to a royal commentator, and may have decided to abdicate after the affair rumours concerning her son, Crown Prince Frederik.
Queen Margrethe is stepping down as sovereign on January 14, an unexpected move following the rumoured "affair" between Frederik and a Mexican socialite.
In November 2023, reports claimed that the Crown Prince, 55, was having an affair with Mexican-born socialite Genoveva Casanova after they were photographed together during his private trip to Madrid.
Casanova subsequently denied allegations of a romantic relationship with Frederik in a statement.
Queen of Denmark 'terrified of losing Mary' and may have decided to abdication after Frederik affair rumours
Getty
At the time the rumours began circulating, Frederik and Mary were hosting King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain for a royal tour.
Royal commentator Phil Dampier believes that Queen Margrethe's abdication could be linked to her son's "affair" rumours.
He said: “It’s possible that the Queen took this action because she would have been terrified of the marriage breaking up and the Royal Family losing Mary.
Queen Margrethe has been the Danish monarch for 52 years
PA
"It would have caused major problems.
"The Queen has always seen Mary as a tremendous asset.”
Queen Margrethe will become the first Danish monarch to step down in over 500 years.
She previously hinted at her intention to reign for life, like her third cousin Queen Elizabeth, who reigned for over 70 years until her death in September 2022.
Crown Princess Mary and Crown Prince Frederik arrive to greet the diplomatic corps today
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Dampier also told The Telegraph: “It just seems an extraordinary coincidence that she should make this unexpected announcement just a couple of months after stories emerged of the Crown Prince supposedly having an affair.
“In two weeks’ time, the Prince and Princess will be pitched together as King and Queen and they will have to get on with it.
"The Queen may be thinking that they will patch up their differences and it will save their marriage.”