Fred and Mary - Ready To Take Over As King And Queen

The Royal Couple Move Closer To The Danish Throne

It was the trip that took Crown Princess Mary of Denmark and her husband Frederik a step nearer to the throne. For the first time, Queen Margrethe made a state visit with her son, the Crown Prince, by her side when they visited Argentina last month.

It had all the hallmarks of a dress rehearsal, and speculation is now rife in Copenhagen that Frederik and Mary may be king and queen sooner rather than later.

With a history of bad health, Margrethe, who turns 79 on April 16, dropped hints that she now considers her son ready to take over. “He is fantastic – much better than me” she said in Buenos Aires during their three day tour.

The Queen, who has ruled for 47 years, has always made it clear she will die in office, and there is no tradition of abdication in Denmark, unlike other European countries.

But times are changing and polls suggest the public feels she deserves to step down and enjoy a rest in her later years.

While the Queen and Frederik were in South America, Mary continued to boost her credentials with a trip to Texas, promoting Danish culture, green energy and trade.

She then flew to Addis Ababa as a UN ambassador for a two-day visit promoting women’s rights in Ethiopia.

Mary talked about gender equality and met with local business leaders and female movers and shakers in the rapidly developing African country.