King Frederik of Denmark said that having his wife Queen Mary by his side was the ‘highlight’ of his ‘overwhelming’ coronation ceremony, amid rumours the couple is dealing with marital struggles.
Speaking to Danish broadcaster, TV2, aboard their royal yacht Kongeskibet Dannebrog, the couple avoided questions about their relationship after pictures emerged of the monarch having an evening out with Mexican socialite Genoveva Casnova in November last year.
Instead, the couple doubled down on the strength of their marriage – with Frederik praising Mary to help him get through the historic day.
The King, who was crowned in January, said: ‘It was very overwhelming and moving. I felt extremely well received.
Queen Mary and King Frederik of Denmark are warmly welcomed by the Danish public at Fredensborg Palace yesterday
They waved to crowds as they prepared to set sail on their yacht, Kongeskibet Dannebrog
‘The highlight was when Mary and the children came out and stood right behind me and I had the Danes standing in front of me and waving. It was one of the most amazing things to experience in my life.’
And Queen Mary was just as complimentary to her husband, saying the moment ‘moved her so much’
She said: ‘I stood with the children and when you stepped out onto the balcony towards your fate, it was a moment that moved me incredibly much.
‘We could hear and feel it, even if we couldn’t see it. It was a beautiful moment. I was both very happy and very proud.’
Unlike the British royal family, Mary and Frederik’s new reign was announced at Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen and they did not have a coronation service after his mother Queen Margrethe stepped down.
The shock abdication came a month after Frederik was pictured with Geneva Casnova, the former daughter-in-law of the billionaire Duchess of Alba.
The pair were seen walking through Madrid before heading to her apartment building, changing clothes and heading out again for the evening.
The publication of the photos resulted in Genoveva, 47, issuing a statement denying any kind of romantic relationship between herself and the royal and slamming the ‘malicious’ rumours.
Mary, 52, donned a simple, yet stylish ensemble featuring a tailored white blazer, a chic cream blouse and smart navy blue trousers
But the couple seemed to put all trouble behind them as they arrived in Fredensborg on Thursday.
The royal pair were greeted with cheers from royal fans and a welcome from the local mayor yesterday when they travelled to Fredensborg Palace.
In the months that have followed the coronation, Mary has fulled speculation by completing a series of solo royal engagements without her husband.
Despite this, the couple say protecting the tradition of the monarchy was important to them.
They told the Danish outlet: ‘We want to be a royal couple who are visible and present throughout Denmark.’
The couple, who share four children, Crown Prince Christian, Princess Isabella, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, were greeted with a sea of white and red when they arrived yesterday, with many patriotic Danes waving the flag and giving the King and Queen a warm welcome.
The couple shared a loving gaze at each other whilst onstage yesterday, amid rumours of marital struggles
The royal couple looked in high spirits as they greeted fans who wished them well on their travels
The couple were greeted with a sea of white and red when they arrived yesterday
Mary, 52, donned a simple, yet stylish ensemble featuring a tailored white blazer, a chic cream blouse and smart navy blue trousers.
The mother-of-two showed off her slender figure by cinching in her waist with a patterned-brown belt and opted for olive-green heels.
She wore her brunette tresses of hair down in a sophisticated blowdry and chose to wear simple silver stud earrings and a pearl ring.
Mary wore glamorous makeup that highlighted her features, opting to for shimmery eye-shadow, pink lip gloss and glitzy highlighter.
Mary showed off her slender figure by cinching in her waist with a patterned-brown belt and opted for olive-green heels
Mary spoke to people who waited to see them at Fredensborg Castle yesterday
King Frederik looked dapper in a grey chequered suit with matching suit trousers, a brown belt, and a blue shirt
King Frederik looked dapper in a grey chequered suit with matching suit trousers, a brown belt, and a blue shirt.
Mary also spoke to the media about their yacht, Kongeskibet Dannebrog, which has been in commission since 1932.
She looked back on the family holidays that took place there and said: ‘The children, crew and us – not so high for me – jump from the highest point on the ship into the deep blue water.’
It is believed they will travel on the yacht to visit their Scandinavian neighbours, Sweden and Norway over the spring and summer months.
Frederik said: ‘We feel at home in Scandinavia. We are not only colleagues, but also family. Our cohorts have become friends. We have a fantastic dialogue and a relaxed relationship when we meet.’
Well-wishers eagerly watched Queen Mary, and King Frederik board the Royal Yacht Dannebrog as they set off for a traditional summer tour at sea.
Queen Mary and King Frederik of Denmark beamed as they arrived at the port today to board the Royal Yactht Dannebrog
The Queen was given a posy of flowers as she departed for the waters as the couple head off on their summer tour
The royal couple beamed as they waved goodbye to people on the land after setting sail on their summer tour
Mary had a quick outfit change and looked elegant in a navy polka dot dress with an a-line skirt, paired with a stunning white headband as she accepted a posy of flowers before boarding the boat.
Meanwhile her husband looked regal in his military uniform as he joined his wife to wave goodbye to people on land when they set sail.
The royal couple beamed as they set off on the tour, which will see them visit the Faroe Islands and Greenland in June and July – and showed they would not be cowed by accusations they photoshopped their first royal portrait since becoming king and queen.
