Princess Mary of Denmark’s iconic royal curtsy will no longer be a requirement when she is crowned the country’s queen.
The Australian-born Danish royal, 51, will ascend to the throne on Sunday, after Queen Margrethe announced in her New Year’s address she would be abdicating.
The queen’s firstborn son, Prince Frederik, will assume the throne – alongside his wife, Mary, whom he met in Sydney during the 2000 Olympics.
In her new position, the deep, respectful curtsies the Tasmanian-born princess has become known for will no longer be compulsory every time she interacts with other royals.
Hello! royal correspondent Danielle Stacey said it is because Princess Mary will now be of a higher rank.
“So the days of Mary’s beautiful curtsy may become a thing of the past,” Ms Stacey said.
“If Mary greets another royal in future, typically two queens would not curtsy to one another, but she may decide to display the traditional greeting as a sign of respect, particularly if it’s a state visit.”
Princess Mary has in the past revealed she learned to curtsy from her then-fiancé Prince Frederik before meeting his mother, the queen, for the first time.
The couple, who will celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary this year as well as their coronation, share four children together.
Their firstborn, 18-year-old Christian, will become the crown prince.
During her surprise announcement in a New Year’s Eve statement, Queen Margrethe said after 52 years on the throne, the time had come for her to pass it on to her son.
“I first and foremost would like to express my thanks. Thank you for the overwhelming warmth and support which I have received during all these years,” she said.
“Thank you to the changing governments with whom the collaboration always has been rewarding, and thank you to The Parliament, who have always vested their confidence in me”.
“It is my hope that the new King and Queen will be met with the same trust and devotion which have fallen to my lot. They deserve it! Denmark deserves it!
“I will conclude my new year’s address in my usual manner: GOD BLESS DENMARK, GOD BLESS YOU ALL.”