Queen Mary of Denmark appeared in high spirits as she participated in the annual Danish Royal Run, supported by her husband King Frederik and their four children. The Australian-born royal has been mourning the loss of her father, John Donaldson, who passed away in April at the age of 84.
Queen Mary Shares Behind-the-Scenes Photos
On Monday, Queen Mary took to Instagram to share photos of herself stretching and smiling alongside the family dog ahead of the event. The images captured her readiness for the races, showcasing a positive demeanor despite her recent loss.
Royal Family Takes Part in Copenhagen Fun Run
The Danish queen later joined King Frederik and their children—Prince Christian, 20, Princess Isabella, 19, and twins Princess Josephine and Prince Vincent, 15—for a variety of races at the traditional fun run in Copenhagen. The family participated in different events, with Queen Mary competing in one race while King Frederik completed all three distances.
“I have to admit I have become a slow runner, but I ran the whole way,” Queen Mary told Danish broadcaster TV2. “This year my husband wins because he is the only one who ran all the distances.”
Prince Christian Excels Despite Military Duties
Prince Christian, the heir to the Danish throne, completed the 5km race in Ringkøbing in 22 minutes and 22 seconds, despite stopping for selfies and handshakes along the way. He was absent from the final events due to a 10-day military exercise he is currently undertaking.
Queen Margrethe Hospitalised with Blood Clot
The outing came amid reports that Queen Margrethe had been hospitalised for a second time in recent weeks after a CT scan revealed a blood clot. When asked about his mother during the day’s events, King Frederik said she was “a pretty cool mother who doesn’t need to run” and added that he planned to visit her in hospital the next day.
Royal Family Continues Public Engagements Amid Grief
John Donaldson’s death was confirmed by the Danish royal family, who shared an emotional statement at the time. His health had reportedly been deteriorating in recent years, preventing him from attending his daughter’s coronation in 2024. While the family requested privacy as they grieved, Queen Mary has continued to attend public events, including celebrations for Queen Margrethe II’s birthday. The Royal Run allowed the Danish royals to connect with the public, participating in three different race events alongside citizens.
