Queen Mary issues fresh update following death of her father

Ben McCaffrey
Fri, 17 Apr 2026 12:50:41 +0000

Queen Mary of Denmark has issued a fresh statement after the death of her father last week.

Professor John Donaldson died aged 84 in Tasmania on Sunday.

Announcing the passing, the Queen 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."

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Today, the monarch issued a fresh update via the Danish Royal House's Instagram account, expressing her gratitude for the support she has received since the tragic news.

"From the heart, thank you for the overwhelming number of condolences, flowers, and warm thoughts on the occasion of my father's death," the post read.

"The great compassion has touched us deeply and means more than words can describe."

A private funeral service is planned, although the royal household has indicated it will not take place until after this weekend's confirmation ceremony for Queen Mary's twin children, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine.

The final resting place for Professor Donaldson remains undecided.

Professor Donaldson died in Hobart, Tasmania, where he had spent much of his life after emigrating from Scotland.

He forged a distinguished academic career as a Professor of Applied Mathematics before moving to Tasmania in 1963 with his first wife, Henrietta Clark Horne, who later served as executive assistant to the University of Tasmania's vice-chancellor before she died in 1997.

The royal household confirmed Proffesor Donaldson's health had been deteriorating for several years, leaving him too frail to undertake long-haul travel to Denmark.

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The Queen had managed to visit her father at the end of March, shortly after completing a six-day state visit to Australia with King Frederik.

It was here that the monarch took a black and white photograph of her father on March 23, 2026.

Queen Mary stepped out publicly for the first time since losing her father earlier this week, where she was captured celebrating her mother-in-law Queen Margrethe's 86th birthday celebrations.

She stood alongside husband King Frederik X at Fredensborg Palace on Wednesday, opting for a dark navy outfit rather than the traditional mourning black.

This shade is often chosen as an alternative mourning colour for occasions other than funerals.

The gathering also included Margrethe's younger sibling, Queen Anne-Marie of Greece.

Margrethe abdicated the throne to her son, Frederik, in January 2024, after 52 years of reign due to declining health following major back surgery.

Crowds gathered to welcome the royals as they arrived for a performance by the Royal Life Guards Music Corps.