Copenhagen’s royal household says John Donaldson, father of Australian-born Queen Mary of Denmark, has died in Tasmania
Copenhagen, Denmark — father of denmark Queen Mary born in AustraliaJohn Donaldson has died in Tasmania, Copenhagen’s royal family said on Sunday. He was 84 years old.
A royal statement said Donaldson died in Hobart, without giving further details. It said his health had been declining for the past few years and the Queen last met him in late March.
John Dalgleish Donaldson, born in Scotland on September 5, 1941, was a professor of applied mathematics.
Mary became Queen of Denmark in January 2024 after serving as crown princess for two decades when her husband became king of the Scandinavian country. He was declared King Frederick queen margrethe ii.
Frederick and Marie met during the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. They married in 2004.
“My heart is heavy,” Mary was quoted as saying in Sunday’s statement.
She added, “But I know that when the pain goes away, the memories will brighten my day and what will remain strongest is my love and gratitude for all that he gave and taught me.”
Mary’s mother, Henrietta Clark Donaldson, died in 1997. His father married Susan Moody in 2001.
The statement said the family will hold a private memorial service for Donaldson “at a later date.”
