The heartbreaking reason the Danish King and Queen have made a secret visit to Australia

King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark have secretly travelled to Australia for a private memorial service for the Queen’s late father, Professor John Donaldson.

The Danish Royal House confirmed on Wednesday that the King and Queen are attending the private service in Hobart, Tasmania, following their journey from Denmark.

A brief entry was added to the official royal diary confirming that “The King and Queen attend a private memorial service for the Queen’s father, Mr. John Donaldson, in Hobart, Tasmania.”

The visit had not been publicly announced in advance, with reports of the couple’s absence from Denmark emerging after their 20-year-old son, Crown Prince Christian, was expected to act as regent.

Professor Donaldson died in Hobart on 11 April 2026 at the age of 84. He was born in Scotland in 1941 and emigrated to Australia with his family in 1963, later becoming a professor of applied mathematics.

Queen Mary, who was born and raised in Tasmania, had spent time with her father during the King and Queen’s state visit to Australia in March.

Following his death, the Queen described her father as “beloved” and spoke of her love and gratitude for everything he had given her and taught her.

Donaldson was a significant figure in his daughter’s life and was among the family members who supported her as she began her new life in Denmark. He also played a prominent role at her wedding to then-Crown Prince Frederik in Copenhagen in May 2004, walking his daughter down the aisle.

Donaldson’s first wife, Henrietta, died in 1997 following complications from heart surgery. He later married British author Susan Moody in 2001. He and Moody subsequently spent time living in Denmark before returning to Australia.

The memorial service in Hobart comes several months after Donaldson’s death and follows the royal couple’s recent attendance at the state funeral of King Harald V of Norway.

Crown Prince Christian is expected to undertake the role of regent during his parents’ absence from Denmark.