Danish Royals Begin Australian Tour with Uluru Visit, Focusing on Renewable Energy Ties

Denmark’s King Frederik X and Queen Mary have commenced a six-day state visit to Australia, marking the first such visit in 40 years. The royal couple began their tour in the heart of Australia, at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, where they were greeted by the traditional custodians of the land, the Aṉangu people.

A Warm Welcome at Uluru

Upon arrival on Saturday, King Frederik and Queen Mary received a traditional inma, a ceremonial dance, from the Aṉangu people. They too met with trainees from the National Indigenous Training Academy and witnessed the sunset over Uluru as reported by the ABC. Queen Mary expressed her joy at returning to Australia, stating, “To start the visit here in the centre of Australia is quite something, to experience Uluru for the first time and to meet with the Anangu.”

Strengthening Ties in Renewable Energy

The state visit aims to bolster ties between Denmark and Australia, particularly in the sectors of renewable energy, offshore wind, and energy-efficient urban development. A delegation of 55 Danish renewable energy companies is accompanying the royals on their tour according to the ABC. The tour will include stops in the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, and Tasmania.

A Historic Visit for Queen Mary

This trip marks Queen Mary’s fourth official visit to Australia, but the first since she and King Frederik were crowned in January 2024. The couple’s visit follows in the footsteps of Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s 1983 tour of the culturally significant site as noted by The Guardian.

Royal History and a Chance Encounter

Queen Mary, formerly Mary Donaldson, was born in Tasmania and famously met then-Crown Prince Frederik at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games as reported by Yahoo Lifestyle. The couple will likely spend time with her family in Tasmania during their visit.

Upcoming Engagements

The royal couple will continue their tour with meetings with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Governor-General Sam Mostyn in Canberra. A state dinner will be hosted by the Governor-General. The visit comes after a period of heavy rain that has transformed the normally arid landscape around Uluru into a “sea of green” with cascading waterfalls according to The Guardian.