Thousands of Tasmanians turned out to catch a glimpse of Queen Mary on Thursday, with many telling Pulse of their special memories of the Hobart-born royal.
Crowds lined Hunter Street for a walkabout that drew heartfelt reunions, marching bands and at least one person who travelled to Copenhagen for the royal wedding.
Pippy Edwards was among the first in the crowd.
She said she’d followed Mary’s journey for decades – including flying to Denmark in 2004 to celebrate on the streets when Hobart-born Mary Donaldson married then-Crown Prince Frederik.
“I think it’s a historic event for Tasmania,” Edwards said. “It’s great to see Queen Mary back in her hometown.”
She brought her daughter, mother and friends along for the occasion.
For Danish-born Anne Lillie, who moved to Tasmania five years ago, the visit felt personal on two levels – a fellow Dane making good, and a rare chance to connect her children with their heritage.
“We know how long it is, how far it is to come,” she said. “So we figured we may as well come down and say hey.”
Lillie said the Danish royal family had always maintained an approachable reputation.
“They seem like us,” she said. “The royal family has always been quite down to earth, and I think they continue in that vein.”
Perhaps the most sentimental appearance came from the Derwent Valley Concert Band, who were invited to play at the walkabout – just as they had performed in Copenhagen at the royal wedding more than two decades ago.
Drum major David Schmidt said he marched through the streets of the Danish capital in 2004 and was thrilled to perform for Mary again on home soil.
“The chance for this band to come out and play for her again is fantastic,” he said.
Thursday’s waterfront event marked the final outside stop on the Danish royals’ Australian tour and their first official visit to Tasmania since 2005 – a homecoming, by all accounts, that Hobart wasn’t going to miss.
In the crowd, Mary was seen graciously shaking the hands of those behind the barriers and repeatedly crouched to talk to children face to face.
In one instance, she wore the crown that a young girl was holding, before signing another girl’s DIY poster.
Queen Mary described the visit as “rewarding” and “unforgettable”.
“Last night I ended a speech in Melbourne saying how privileged I am that my roots are grounded both in Australia and Denmark, but they do go a little bit deeper – in Tasmania,” she told guests at a state reception at Government House last night.
“There really isn’t a more special place to end what has been a unique, rewarding, moving, exciting, curious tour.”
“I’m a bit overwhelmed, but thank you everyone for being here.”
