Large crowds gathered along Hobart’s waterfront on Thursday as Denmark’s King Frederik X and Australian-born Queen Mary made a public appearance in the city’s historic Hunter Street precinct.
The visit marks the royal couple’s first official trip to Australia since their accession in January 2024, following the abdication of Queen Margrethe II. Queen Mary, born Mary Donaldson in Hobart, returned to her home state for the high-profile engagement.
Well-wishers lined the streets outside the waterfront’s Henry Jones Art Hotel and MACq 01 Hotel, where the couple met members of the public during a walkabout through the area. Police maintained a visible presence as crowds formed several rows deep along the route.
Hunter Street, one of Hobart’s oldest commercial corridors, provided a fitting backdrop for the visit. The precinct, characterised by restored 19th-century sandstone warehouses, has evolved into a key tourism and hospitality hub, linking the city centre with the redeveloped waterfront and Salamanca Place.
The appearance is part of a broader Australian program expected to include engagements in multiple states, reflecting Queen Mary’s ties to Tasmania and Denmark’s ongoing diplomatic and cultural links with Australia.
Royal visits to Tasmania are relatively rare, with the last high-profile appearance by Danish royalty in the state occurring prior to Frederik’s accession. The visit is expected to generate international media attention, particularly given Queen Mary’s local origins and enduring public profile in Australia.
Tourism operators and local businesses welcomed the exposure, noting the event’s potential to boost Hobart’s visibility as a cultural destination. The Hunter Street precinct, in particular, has been positioned as a focal point for heritage tourism, combining galleries, boutique accommodation and dining venues within walking distance of the city’s harbour.
While the visit was brief, it drew strong public interest, with many attendees arriving hours in advance to secure a vantage point. For Hobart, the occasion provided both a homecoming for its most famous expatriate and a rare opportunity to showcase the city on an international stage.
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