Sydney celebrates as Princess Mary about to become Queen consort of Denmark

Sydneysiders have come out in celebration of Crown Princess Mary as she prepares to take the throne as Queen consort of Denmark.

She will be the first Australian to hold a royal title from Sunday evening, when her husband Frederik is proclaimed king in Copenhagen.

His mother, Queen Margrethe of Denmark surprised her country and the world when she revealed during her annual New Year’s Eve speech she would abdicate after 51 years in power.

The event will begin just after 11:30pm AEDT and 1:30pm in Copenhagen.

The 83-year-old queen ascended the throne in 1972.

Princess Mary, then known as Mary Donaldson, was 28 years old and working as an advertising execute when she first shook hands with the Danish prince in the packed Slip Inn pub in the CBD during the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.

The future king of Denmark was 32 years old at the time and attended the Games to support his nation’s sailing team.

That same pub is now pulling out all the stops to honour the happy couple’s ascension to the throne, hosting fans and international television reporters who will be broadcasting live from the bar.

Fan Joanne King said Princess Mary’s story was something out of a “true fairy tale”.

“She’s just amazing, you just look at her and you can see her as the Queen,” she said.

“Who would have thought, someone from little old ‘Tassie?”

Ms King said she was impressed by the Inn’s decorations, especially its signature There’s Something About Mary cocktail, a mix of the Danish spirit Aquavit with Absolut Vodka, lychee, lemon, vanilla and aquafaba.

“I can just see her pictures of her, all dressed up in jewels and everything. You can just see her as a Queen.”

The Slip Inn, which normally serves Mexican food, will also dish up DenMex grub for the occasion, with a special smoked hot dog called El Frederiko in honour of the incoming king.

After the couple met in 2000, they dated long distance for a year, with Frederik secretly travelling to Australia before Princess Mary moved to Copenhagen to study the Danish language.

Queen Margrethe publicly acknowledged the pair’s relationship in early 2003, announcing their engagement later that year.

The couple married in May 2004 and gave birth to four children – Prince Christian Valdemar Henri John, 18, Princess Isabella Henrietta Ingrid Margrethe, 16, and 12-year-old twins Princess Josephine Sophia Ivalo Mathilda and Prince Vincent Frederik Minik Alexander.

Since becoming a royal, Princess Mary has worked with various charities and is outspoken about helping migrants and combating bullying.

Mary has won over Denmark through her dedication to royal duty and becoming fluent in the language.

The news that Mary will become queen has dominated headlines in Denmark and is regarded as a popular decision.

Princess Mary often returns home to her family in Tasmania for the festive season and was spotted at Sydney airport on December 9 with Princess Josephine and Prince Vincent.