On New Year's Eve, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark surprised the world by announcing her decision to abdicate the throne on the 52nd anniversary of her reign, passing the crown to her son, Crown Prince Frederick, and his wife, Crown Princess Mary.
Crown Princess Mary, the first Australian-born queen of Denmark, has earned her place in history. While Meghan Markle may not experience a similar transition, her supporters can dream and playfully refer to her as their queen.
Though Mary and Meghan Markle likely haven't crossed paths, their backgrounds and personalities differ significantly. In 2004, when Mary married Frederick, the Danish parliament passed "Mary's Law," enabling any foreign royal spouse to obtain Danish citizenship. In contrast, Meghan did not have any law named after her, retaining her American citizenship after marrying Prince Harry. Crown Princess Mary, upon her engagement, learned Danish in approximately 18 months, showcasing her commitment to her new role and adapting to Danish culture.
Mary faced challenges such as relinquishing her Australian citizenship, changing her religion, and adapting to a new language, all while transitioning from relative anonymity to a highly public figure. Yet, she did so without publicly complaining to the media. In contrast, Meghan Markle, after stepping down as a senior royal in 2020, has been vocal about her experiences, written books, and given interviews that have been perceived as threatening to the British royal family.
While Mary's dedication to her role and quiet adaptation to her new life have been commendable, Meghan has chosen a more confrontational approach. Meghan's public criticisms and complaints, especially about dealing with the British press, stand in stark contrast to Mary's quieter approach. Royal expert Phil Damp notes that Mary, dedicated to supporting Queen Margrethe, may view Meghan's actions with concern, suggesting that Meghan has taken a path that Mary might find inappropriate.
As Catherine, the Princess of Wales, prepares for a high-profile event in Denmark, it's evident that Harry and Meghan are unlikely to receive an invitation, underscoring the contrasting paths taken by different royals in managing their roles and public relations.
