Australian-born Queen Mary of Denmark and husband King Frederik hosted at Government House in Perth

WA Governor Chris Dawson and his wife Darrilyn Dawson hosted Australian-born Danish royal Queen Mary and her husband King Frederik at Government House overnight ahead of their state visit.

The royal couple accepted an invitation to stay at Government House in Perth during their short stopover in WA before embarking on a six-day visit with public appearances scheduled in Uluru, Canberra, Melbourne and Mary’s hometown Hobart.

It marks their first official visit as King and Queen, and the first by any Danish monarch since Queen Margrethe, the King’s mother, in 1987 — almost four decades ago.

“It was an honour and a pleasure to be able to host Their Majesties The King and Queen of Denmark at Government House,” Mr Dawson said.

“Their visit was a memorable occasion, and we were delighted to extend the hospitality of Government House and share with them some of the history and spirit of our State, from our beautiful gardens to a selection of some of Western Australia’s finest food and wine.”

Before departing Perth to kick off their official program, Queen Mary and King Frederik thanked the Governor, Mrs Dawson and staff, Government House said in a statement.

Federal Perth MP Patrick Gorman and WA Cabinet Secretary Daniel Pastorelli hit the tarmac to farewell the Danes on Saturday.

“It was a huge honour to briefly meet Their Majesties as part of their official Australian visit,” Mr Pastorelli said.

“You could tell that the King and Queen were both very excited to be back in Australia. They were friendly, warm and down to earth.”

Queen Mary and King Frederik departed Perth for Uluru on Saturday afternoon, where they will be welcomed by traditional owners before heading to an engagement in Canberra with Governor-General Sam Mostyn and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

The Queen still has family in Tasmania while her brother John Donaldson works in the WA’s mining industry.

The couple met at the Ship Inn Hotel in Sydney at the 2000 Olympics and have four children together.