Danish royals Frederik and Mary began their first trip to Australia since taking the throne with a visit to the country’s red centre.
The six-day state tour, which includes visits to Canberra, Melbourne and Hobart, aims to deepen trade ties between Queen Mary’s adopted and home countries.
The royal couple exchanged handshakes with Aṉangu traditional owners at the Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa Cultural Center after landing on Saturday night.
The normally arid desert region was a sea of green after weeks of heavy rain drenched the inland tourist site, causing waterfalls to cascade over the famous rock.
The monarchs headed to the cultural center for a guided tour during which they learned about the creation of the land and Aṉangu customs.
They also saw a ceremonial dance called Inma that connects the Aṉangu to their ancestors through song and dance.
Frederik and Mary also admired the sunset at the massive sandstone monolith with indigenous elders, in a stop likely to draw comparisons to the 1983 British royal tour, when Princess Diana and then Prince Charles, now king, visited the culturally important site.
The monarchs will also be accompanied by the Deputy Prime Minister of Denmark and the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Climate, along with a business delegation representing more than 50 Danish companies, focused on clean energy.
“Denmark and Australia share an interest in the conservation of nature and culture and elements related to nature and culture will form part of the state visit,” reads a statement from the Royal House of Denmark.
The couple will also meet Governor-General Sam Mostyn and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his wife Jodie Haydon while in Australia.
Mostyn will host a formal state dinner for the royals.
Frederik and Mary were proclaimed ruling monarchs of Denmark in a ceremony that attracted much fanfare in January 2024.
The event marked their 20th year of marriage.
The Tasmia-born queen, formerly Mary Donaldson, met then-Crown Prince Frederik during a chance meeting in a Sydney pub during the 2000 Olympics.
The last time the royal family officially visited Australia was 13 years ago, this being their fourth tour together.
They are likely to spend time with Queen Mary’s relatives in Tasmania, including her elderly father, John Donaldson.
King Frederick and Queen Mary’s four children, Crown Prince Christian, 20, Princess Elizabeth, 18, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, 15, are unlikely to join their parents on the tour.
