King Frederik X and Queen Mary of Denmark have returned home following a triumphant six-day State Visit to Australia last week, but it was not without it's awkward moments.
The Danish royals, aged 57 and 54 respectively, travelled across the country with engagements spanning Uluru, Canberra, Melbourne, and Hobart.
Among the highlights was an Evening in the Garden reception hosted by the couple at Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens. The event provided an opportunity for Frederik and Mary to express their appreciation to Australia's Governor-General, government officials, and various partners.
Both monarchs delivered individual speeches during the Melbourne gathering, with each address offering memorable moments that resonated with the assembled guests.
King Frederik X and Queen Mary of Denmark recently visited Australia for a State Visit
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The visit reinforced the enduring connection between the Tasmanian-born Queen and her homeland.
During his Melbourne address, the King entertained guests with a self-deprecating tale from the couple's inaugural Australian tour two decades ago.
Frederik recalled attending the Sculpture by the Sea exhibition in Sydney in 2005, where Mary was greeting members of the public who had gathered to meet them.
"Mary was chatting to some of the people who had shown up to say hello, and I stood next to Mary," the King reminisced.
"And I overheard a young boy standing next to his mother asking her, 'Mummy, Mummy, who's that boy next to Mary?'" he revealed, drawing considerable laughter from the Melbourne audience.
The Danish monarch accepted the child's innocent observation with characteristic good humour, telling guests: "That's how it is occasionally, [and] in the eyes of Australia, I suspect I shall always be the one standing next to Mary. And this is perfectly OK... I take that very much as a compliment."
King Frederik was sidelined as a member of the public asked who he was after meeting Queen Mary
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Queen Mary followed her husband to the podium that evening, delivering remarks that touched upon a distinctly Australian cultural phenomenon.
The Queen spoke of how deeply moved she remains by the warm reception her family receives whenever they return to her birthplace.
"Being remembered is nothing ever to be taken for granted... and it is an endearing Australian trait that when an Australian is considered to do well abroad, you take pride in the fact that they are one of your own," Mary observed.
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"And forever on, they will be known as 'Our, [insert name here],'" she added, prompting laughter from the crowd.
The comment was a knowing nod to her own status in Australian popular culture, where she has long been affectionately referred to as "Our Mary" since joining the Danish royal family.
Earlier in the tour, King Frederik delivered a deeply personal address during the official state banquet in Canberra on March 15.
The monarch reflected on the evening that would alter the course of his life – walking into the Slip Inn pub during the Sydney 2000 Olympics and encountering his future wife.
King Frederick also gave various talks during the visit Down Under
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"For me, Australia has held a very special place in my heart ever since I slipped into that bar and lost it in a conversation that has never ended," Frederik told guests.
He noted that their 2004 wedding meant Australians and Danes suddenly shared a princess, with the Nordic nation becoming familiar to those "down under."
Frederik also paid tribute to Mary's courage in leaving her homeland behind.
"Mary, you had the courage to leave your beloved home and build a new one with me as far away as one can possibly go. For that, I will be forever grateful," he said.
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