‘Not the right time’: Queen Mary corrected by her mother-in-law in public

Dorothy Reddin
Fri, 17 Apr 2026 17:05:30 +0000

Queen Margrethe of Denmark delivered a sharp rebuke to her daughter-in-law, Queen Mary, during celebrations marking the former monarch's 86th birthday at Fredensborg Palace yesterday.

The incident occurred when Margrethe's biscuit-coloured dachshund Tilia wandered between the royals as they watched a performance by the Royal Life Guards Music Corps.

Mary bent down to stroke the small dog, prompting an immediate response from her mother-in-law.

According to a lip reader's translation, Margrethe told her: "I don't think this is the right time for that."

King Frederik appeared amused by the exchange, laughing as his wife swiftly straightened up and resumed her formal stance.

The appearance marked a poignant return to public duties for the Danish Queen, who announced her father's death just days earlier on Monday.

Mary, 54, chose a navy blue suit for the occasion, striking a careful balance between mourning and celebration.

The darker shade served as a subtle acknowledgement of her grief whilst avoiding the traditional black that might have overshadowed Margrethe's milestone birthday.

She stood alongside King Frederik, the former monarch, and Queen Anne-Marie of Greece as they greeted well-wishers gathered outside the palace.

Margrethe stepped down from the throne in January 2024 following a 52-year reign, with Frederik and Mary succeeding her.

The scene drew comparisons to a similar moment involving the late Queen Elizabeth II, Margrethe's distant cousin, at Trooping the Colour in 2016.

During that ceremony, Prince William crouched down to speak with a restless Prince George on the Buckingham Palace balcony.

The late monarch was seen tapping her grandson's arm and apparently instructing him to stand up.

William rose immediately, looking somewhat embarrassed by the public correction from his then 90-year-old grandmother.

Prince Harry, standing nearby, was spotted chuckling at his brother's predicament before ensuring his own posture remained impeccable when the Queen glanced in his direction.

Professor John Dalgleish Donaldson died at the age of 84 in Hobart, Tasmania, where Mary grew up.

The Scottish-born mathematics academic had relocated to the Australian island state in November 1963, and his daughter was born there in February 1972.

In a statement, Mary said: "My heart is heavy, and my thoughts are grey. My beloved father has passed away. But I know that when the grief settles, the memories will brighten my day, and what will remain strongest is love and gratitude for everything he gave me and taught me."

His declining health had prevented him from attending significant family occasions, including King Frederik's accession.

The Danish Queen visited him in late March for what would be their final time together, and a private funeral will follow the confirmation of her twins, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine.