Danish Monarchs Conclude State Visit to Australia, Strengthening Bilateral Ties and Green Transition Focus

King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark recently concluded a six-day state visit to Australia, their first official tour as monarchs. The visit, spanning from Central Australia to Tasmania, aimed to bolster bilateral trade, defence cooperation, and a shared commitment to renewable energy and sustainable development. They were accompanied by a significant delegation of over 55 Danish business leaders, with a strong emphasis on clean energy companies.

The visit focused on strengthening ties, expanding annual trade valued at approximately $2 billion, and fostering cooperation in defence and clean energy, with Denmark also supporting an Australia-EU free trade agreement.

This landmark visit marked the first state visit by King Frederik and Queen Mary to Australia since their proclamation as monarchs in January 2024. It was also the first Danish state visit to Australia since 1987. The timing overlapped with Denmark's national parliamentary election campaign, though this reportedly only affected the attendance of some senior Danish ministers.

Itinerary and Engagements

The royal couple's comprehensive itinerary covered several Australian states and territories:

Prior to the official state visit, King Frederik and Queen Mary made a brief stopover in Perth, Western Australia. They were hosted by Governor Chris Dawson at Government House before proceeding to Central Australia.

The official state visit commenced on a Saturday afternoon in Central Australia. King Frederik and Queen Mary were greeted by Aṉangu traditional owners at the Uluru-Kata Tjuṯa Cultural Centre, where an inma (ceremonial dance) was performed. They also met trainees from the National Indigenous Training Academy and observed the sunset at Uluṟu.

On Sunday morning, the couple walked to the Muṯitjulu Waterhole in Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park alongside traditional owners. Queen Mary expressed her appreciation for beginning the visit in Central Australia and learning about the Aṉangu people's spiritual and cultural connection to the land.

Following their time in Central Australia, the King and Queen arrived in Canberra on Sunday. Their schedule included:

• A 21-gun salute at Government House.
• A state dinner hosted by Governor-General Sam Mostyn.
• Meetings with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Angus Taylor.
• A wreath-laying ceremony at the Australian War Memorial on Monday, including respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

During the state dinner, King Frederik stated that Australia held a "special place" in his heart, recalling his first meeting with Queen Mary in Sydney in 2000. He emphasized the importance of living in harmony with nature and recognizing First Nations peoples' spiritual bond with their land.

Queen Mary also expressed gratitude for the reception and confirmed the trip's focus on renewable energies, climate change, and strategic projects.

On Tuesday, the royal couple commenced engagements in Melbourne, Victoria. Activities included:

• A meeting with Victorian Governor Margaret Gardner at Government House, where they signed an official visitors' book.
• A business-focused reception at Victoria’s Government House, where King Frederik articulated the visit's objective as "Partnering across borders for a green, secure and sustainable tomorrow."
• An inspection of a sustainable housing redevelopment project in Prahran.
• A visit to the Port of Melbourne Education Centre for discussions on sustainable practices within the maritime sector.
• A visit to the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), interacting with local sports participants.

Wednesday's Melbourne engagements continued with:

• An event with businesses in the renewable energy sector, including the opening of a renewable energy conference.
• Learning about Danish-Australian collaborations in stem cell research at the Murdoch Children's Research Institute and a brief visit to the Royal Children's Hospital.
• A visit to Headspace in South Melbourne to be briefed on youth mental health support.
• Attendance at an exhibition by Danish-Australian artist duo Rhoda Ting and Mikkel Bojesen.
• A reception at Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens.

The visit concluded in Hobart, Tasmania, on Thursday. Queen Mary, a Tasmanian native, grew up in Taroona, Hobart. Official engagements included:

• A public greeting on Hunter Street, attended by crowds.
• A state reception hosted by Tasmanian Governor Barbara Baker AC, where Queen Mary acknowledged Tasmania's significance for concluding the visit.
• A boat trip along the River Derwent to the Alum Cliffs Marine Reserve, meeting members of the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) to learn about giant kelp conservation.
• A visit to Government House for a traditional cleansing ceremony with representatives of the local Aboriginal Community.
• A tour of the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA).
• A visit to the Agrarian Kitchen in New Norfolk, an establishment focused on sustainable food practices.
• A visit to Incat, a Hobart-based ferry company constructing three 100% battery-electric high-speed ferries for Danish operator Molsinjen.

King Frederik and Queen Mary, joined by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff, unveiled a plaque commemorating their visit on Hull 102, one of the new ferries. These state-of-the-art ferries are scheduled for completion in 2027 and 2028.

Personal Connections

King Frederik referred to Australia as his "second home," noting it is where he and Queen Mary met over two decades ago. Queen Mary, born in Hobart, met King Frederik (then Crown Prince Frederik) in Sydney during the 2000 Olympics. They married in 2004 and have four children. She stated her roots are grounded in Australia and Denmark, with particular depth in Tasmania. Following the state visit, Queen Mary reportedly extended her stay in Hobart due to her father's health.

Bilateral Focus Areas

A central theme of the visit was the "green transition" and establishing sustainable business partnerships. The accompanying business delegation emphasized discussions on Danish wind turbine exports and investments in Australian renewable energy projects, particularly offshore wind. Denmark highlighted its commitment to sustainability, noting that approximately 90 percent of its energy is generated from renewable sources. The visit also addressed collaboration in stem cell research and youth mental health initiatives.