John Donaldson, Father of Denmark's Queen Mary, Dies at Age 84

The royal house in Copenhagen announced on Sunday that John Donaldson, the father of Denmark's Queen Mary, has died in Tasmania. He was 84 years old. Donaldson died in Hobart, according to the statement, which did not provide additional details on the cause of death.

The statement noted that Donaldson's health had been declining over the past few years. Queen Mary last visited him at the end of March. John Dalgleish Donaldson was born in Scotland on September 5, 1941, and worked as a professor of applied mathematics.

Queen Mary became Denmark's queen in January 2024, following her husband Frederik's ascension to the throne. Frederik was proclaimed King Frederik X after the abdication of his mother, Queen Margrethe II. Mary had served as crown princess for two decades prior to that.

Royal Family Background Frederik and Mary met during the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.

The couple married in 2004. Mary was born in Australia, making her Denmark's first queen consort from that country. Mary's mother, Henrietta Clark Donaldson, died in 1997. Her father married Susan Moody in 2001.

The family plans to hold a private memorial service for Donaldson at a later date.

Statement from Queen Mary In the announcement, Queen Mary expressed her grief over her father's passing.

The statement included her remarks on the loss and her reflections on their relationship.

“My heart is heavy. But I know that when the grief settles, the memories will brighten my day, and what will remain strongest is love and gratitude for everything he gave me and taught me.”