Mary's in - Laws Living Separate Lives

Mary is heartbroken as the Queen’s marriage fails.

Princess Mary is under more pressure than ever to keep the Danish royal family together, amid increasing speculation her mother-in-law Queen Margrethe has split with Prince Henrik.

The 76-year-old ruler and her husband of almost five decades have spent precious little time together in the past year, and last week the beloved queen greeted the Belgian royal family at official events with her sons Prince Frederik and Prince Joachim and their wives by her side – but not her once-loyal companion Henrik. His absence at such an important event all but confirmed ongoing rumours the couple have called time on their marriage, sending shockwaves through the nation. 

The Danish royal couple have been living virtually separate lives for some time, with Henrik, 82, having retired from the majority of official duties early last year, leaving Margrethe to shoulder the burden of public service. As a result, Mary, 45, and Frederik, 48, have stepped up to take on more responsibility.