💔 “Just one last time…” — a heartbreaking and deeply meaningful gesture from Queen Mary of Denmark following her father’s p:ɑssing in Hobart, a moment so emotional, bringing many to tears…😞💔

Danish Queen Mary in mourning after her father’s death in Hobart
John Donaldson famously ‘walked his daughter up the aisle and gave Denmark its Crown Princess’.
Flags are flying at half-mast at a Copenhagen palace to mark the death of Danish Queen Mary’s father, as Denmark remembers the man who walked her down the aisle on her wedding day when she became crown princess.

The Australian-born royal’s father, John Donaldson, died in Hobart at the age of 84 on Saturday. His health had declined in recent years.
Queen Mary and her husband, King Frederik, had the chance to spend “precious time” with him last month at the end of a six-day state visit to Australia.

“My heart is heavy, and my thoughts are grey. My beloved father has passed away,” Queen Mary said in an Instagram post.

Donaldson, a professor of applied mathematics, was born in Scotland in 1941 and later moved to Australia in 1963 with his wife, Henrietta. They became Australian citizens in 1975. He lost his wife in 1997.

Australian-born Queen Mary of Denmark is mourning the death of her father John Donaldson.
Australian-born Queen Mary of Denmark is mourning the death of her father John Donaldson. Credit: Instagram, AP
In 2001, he remarried, to a British author named Susan Horwood who writes crime novels under the pen name Susan Moody.

The Danish royal house’s website has opened a digital condolence book where people can write messages.

Acting Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen expressed deep condolences to Queen Mary and her family.

“The Danish people came to know John Donaldson when, with pride and warmth, he walked his daughter up the aisle and gave Denmark its Crown Princess,” she said in a statement.

“We will never forget that.”

Professor Donaldson wore a kilt and beamed as he gave his daughter away during the church wedding ceremony at Copenhagen Cathedral on May 14, 2004.

Queen Mary is the youngest of Professor Donaldson’s four children, sister to Jane, John, and Patricia.

He is also survived by 12 grandchildren, including Crown Prince Christian, who will one day become the Danish king.

The family will hold a private memorial service.