MARY TELLS FRED I’M GOING IT ALONE
The princess is at her wits’ end as she warns her husband to fix his lazy ways and start acting like a leader
It’s been more than 50 days since Prince Frederik and Princess Mary have been photographed together on a joint engagement and Danish royal watchers are wondering if all is not well between their future King and Queen.
As their 15th wedding anniversary approaches next month, the couple appear to be spending less time together than ever.
“It’s very strange. They used to always step out with a smile on their faces, even when Fred faced any kind of public scandal,” says a source. “Mary has always stood by him, even as ex-girlfriends crawl out of the woodwork, or he’s accused of being too lazy to be King. But perhaps now she’s growing tired of it.”
CARRYING THE LOAD
Yet despite Frederik’s half-hearted approach, Mary, 47, has upped her royal workload, with several local appearances in Copenhagen and travelling solo for a brief
– but gruelling – visit to the US state of Texas last month.
“Mary appears more comfortable representing the family on her own lately,” observes a palace aide. “It’s odd given that fans love seeing the crown prince and his wife together. They used
to put on lovely displays of togetherness when they stepped out as a family, which Danes find very reassuring.”
Now sources are questioning if she simply doesn’t have the stamina to play happy families anymore.
“Mary seems extremely focused on her own charities and raising her kids whereas Fred seems to be almost an afterthought,” our insider tells.
“She must realise it looks bad in the public’s eyes, especially when you’ve gone from being one of the most photographed couples in the world to never being seen together, but it’s simple – she gets more done on her own.”
‘Mary has stood by him, but she’s now growing tired of it’ LAST SEEN TOGETHER
Meanwhile, it appears Fred, 50, has been demoted to accompanying his mother Queen Margrethe, 78, as a sidekick on her own royal tours, and last month travelled with her on a state visit to Argentina.
“Make no mistake, Margrethe taking Fred with her wasn’t an honour or a privilege for him – it was more like a test. She knows he’s great at representing the family at things he actually wants to do, like making appearances at the Olympics, mpics but he needs to understand he has to attend serious events too, when he becomes King,” says a source.
“The interesting thing is the Queen rarely chaperones Mary. As far as Margrethe is concerned, her daughter-in-law passed the test with flying colours years ago. It’s Fred’s readiness to take the throne she’s more concerned about. He’s only ever picked the plum royal engagements, but he needs to realise that when she steps down, or passes, the party will finally be over for her son.”
FRED’S MAKEOVER
It’s understood among Danish palace insiders that Mary and the Queen conspired to begin “Project Fred” soon after Margrethe’s husband Henrik died last year.
“Mary and Margrethe both know Fred needs work in the leadership department. Margrethe explained that she would take her son under her wing more over the coming year, which Mary wholeheartedly agreed to, even though she knew it meant they would spend less time together as a couple.
“She’s happy holding the fort at Amalienborg with the children while Fred undergoes his unofficial kingly makeover.
“Plus, she’s never felt comfortable about Fred’s playboy days before they were married and always remained suspicious about his wandering eye on solo overseas engagements. She knows Margrethe won’t stand for any inappropriate behaviour from her son.
“Fred’s got a lot of learning to do, but Margrethe knows the family is in safe hands as long as he holds on to Mary.”