Danish Royals End Australia Visit in Hobart

King Frederik X and Queen Mary of Denmark concluded their six-day official visit to Australia on March 19, wrapping up the tour in Hobart, Tasmania, where the queen was born and raised. The trip marked the couple's first state visit to the country since ascending to the throne in early 2024, drawing warm crowds and highlighting Mary's deep ties to her homeland.

The final day began at Government House in Hobart, where the royals received a traditional Welcome to Country ceremony led by local Aboriginal representatives. Governor Barbara Baker hosted them for a tour of the estate's grounds, followed by discussions on climate change impacts on marine ecosystems. Accompanied by Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff and University of Tasmania officials, they boarded a boat along the River Derwent to visit the Alum Cliffs Marine Reserve. There, they examined samples of giant kelp forests and invasive sea urchins as part of conservation efforts by the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies. Queen Mary held up a lobster for a photo taken by the king before it was released back into the water. She described the outing as a "perfect day," noting fond memories as the vessel passed her...