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AAP
AAP
Politics
Dominic Giannini

Danish royals start day in capital after state dinner

Queen Mary and King Frederik have been welcomed at Government House in Canberra. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)

The Danish royals will start their day in Canberra after the king and queen received a ceremonial welcome at Government House for a state dinner.

Queen Mary and King Frederik are in Australia for their first trip since taking the throne, and are expected to continue official engagements on Monday.

It follows a state dinner with Governor-General Sam Mostyn and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Sunday.

Ms Mostyn said Australians were filled with joy at the return of the royals.

She outlined shared interests in climate change and sustainability, and said she was hoping economic ties would grow as part of the visit.

The king and queen's appetite during the visit goes beyond sightseeing and fancy dinners, with the duo bringing a delegation of 50 Danish companies as they work to strengthen business ties.

Two-way trade between Australia and Denmark raked in more than $3 billion in 2024, the overwhelming majority of which was imports from the Scandinavian country.

Australia had over $9 billion of investment stocks in Denmark in the same year, while Denmark had $4.66 billion in Australia. 

Queen Mary
Queen Mary will visit her hometown of Hobart as part of the Danish royal couple's six-day tour. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)

The king and queen toured Uluru and were taken on a walk to the Mutitjulu Waterhouse by traditional owners on Sunday after touching down the day before.

Queen Mary branded the experience in the red centre as "a really great start to what will be an exciting visit here".

Their six-day tour includes visits to Canberra, Melbourne and the queen's hometown of Hobart in Tasmania.

Frederik and Mary were proclaimed Denmark's king and queen in January 2024, with the event marking their 20th year of marriage after the pair met at a Sydney pub during the 2000 Olympic Games.

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