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Denmark’s King Frederik and Queen Mary concluded the initial phase of their Australian journey with an early morning hike to the renowned watering hole at Uluru.
On Sunday, before the break of dawn, the royal pair embarked on a walk to the Muṯitjulu Waterhole in Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park alongside traditional custodians.
This site holds cultural significance as one of the few permanent water sources near the iconic sandstone formation, and it regularly draws the attention of visiting dignitaries.
Notably, the site has welcomed distinguished visitors such as the late Princess Diana and then-Prince Charles, now the King, during their 1983 British royal tour, as well as the Dalai Lama in 2015.
Frederik and Mary arrived in the heart of Australia on Saturday, marking the beginning of their six-day state visit, their first trip to the country since becoming monarchs.
The monarchs made their way into the cultural centre under grey skies for a guided tour and ceremonial dance called Inma that connects traditional custodians, the Aṉangu, to their ancestors.
Queen Mary said it was great to be home while snapping pictures at Uluru’s sunset viewing site.
“We’ve been so much looking forward to the visit and to start the visit here in the centre of Australia is quite something,” she said.
“And to experience Uluru for the first time and to meet with the Aṉangu people and hear a little bit about their spiritual and cultural connection to the lands … it’s been a really great start to what will be an exciting visit here.”
The royals will head to Canberra on Sunday for more activities, including a 21-gun salute at Government House and a dinner hosted by Governor-General Sam Mostyn.
The pair will also meet Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his wife Jodie Haydon, before departing for Melbourne and Hobart.
The royal visit aims to deepen trade ties between Queen Mary’s adopted and home countries, with a focus on clean energy.
Their delegation includes Denmark’s deputy prime minister, ministers for foreign affairs and climate and more than 50 Danish companies.
Frederik and Mary were proclaimed Denmark’s king and queen in a ceremony attracting wide fanfare in January 2024.
The event marked their 20th year of marriage.
Formerly Mary Donaldson, the pair met during a chance encounter at a Sydney pub during the 2000 Olympic Games.
Then aged 28 and working in marketing, the future queen had no idea she had crossed paths with Denmark’s party-boy crown prince.
The last time the royals visited Australia officially was 13 years ago, making this their fourth tour together.
They are likely to spend time with Queen Mary’s relatives in Tasmania, including her elderly father John Donaldson.
King Frederik and Queen Mary’s four children, Crown Prince Christian, 20, Princess Isabella, 18, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine,15, are unlikely to join their parents on the tour.
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