Queen Mary and King Frederik of Denmark seem extra loved-up than ever

They met 24 years ago at the Sydney Olympics – and their relationship was quickly dubbed a ‘real-life’ fairytale. 

Yet for the past year, Australia-born Queen Mary and King Frederik of Denmark‘s marriage has been plagued by speculation that it’s on the rocks.

Following rumours that the father-of-four had an affair, which has been strenuously denied, the royal couple put on a series of frosty appearances – even on holidays and at glittering receptions at Christiansborg Palace.

But now, the displays of ‘awkwardness and disengagement’ are a thing of the past, if Mary and Frederik’s outings during their annual summer cruise are anything to go by, where the pair have been looking more loved-up than ever.

So, is it the Olympics that royal fans should once again thank for bring the duo together – with the pair’s more loving appearances seemingly starting during their joint attendance at this year’s Paris games.

Speaking to FEMAIL, body language expert Judi James said there has been a ‘very visible de-frost of this royal couple’s body language in the wake of the displays of awkwardness and disengagement that has plagued them since the affair rumours.’

She claimed: ‘The normally-tactile, relaxed and playful-looking couple became distant and cold together in public. 

‘Frederik often looked as though he held a willingness to try to look attached but many of Mary’s behaviours and poses made her look either uncomfortable or keen to ignore him. 

‘Her professionalism was undeniable as she stepped up into the role of Queen but the PDAs either vanished or looked performed rather than natural.’

However, for Judi, the couple are now back on form, with recent outings showing them looking ‘more relaxed together’, with ‘displays of happiness’.  

The body language expert said: ‘The joy seems to have returned, at least in part here, as they spend their summer together.’

She noted five telling body language signs to suggest some ‘behind-the-scenes thawing’ has occurred.

Judi said the first sign was the lack of ‘over-kill rituals’, adding: ‘When a high-profile couple want to deny rumours of an affair or some sort of a split they often get in front of the cameras to perform a ‘denial dance’, kissing, cuddling, hugging or performing unconvincing grins to prove to the world that all is well when it clearly isn’t.

‘Frederick and Mary have no overkill poses here though. The closing of the distanced gap between them looks gradual and natural. 

‘When they stand together it’s their torsos that are close rather than any intertwining of arms or hands and this torso proximity looks like a sign of like-mindedness again.

She continued: ‘Their mirroring has increased. They used to, like our own royals William and Kate, show very strong bouts of mirrored body language but that went out of kilter thanks to the rumours. 

‘Now they look synchronised again, often moving and posing in a near-identical way here, suggesting strengthening bonds of liking and agreement.’

‘They look playful again. Appearing and standing together they seem happy to have some fun with the cameras, laughing in their photos and acting in a more youthful way again. 

‘They always used to seem to share a capacity for playful fun and humour but that had appeared covered in a layer of frost recently. 

‘Frederik seems to be throwing several fond glances here too, suggesting a lack of anxiety as he tunes into his wife with this silent communication.’

Finally, Judi noted ‘their authentic, congruent smiles’,’ saying: ‘Their facial muscles appear to have relaxed again, putting congruent, natural and unforced-looking smiles back on the menu. 

‘Mary’s royal smile never disappeared but this joyful one did. Their poses are beginning to look romantic again as a result.’

Members of the Danish Royal Family have been touring the country on the Royal Yacht Dannebrog every summer for the past 100 years.

This is the first time Frederik and Mary are participating in a summer tour as reigning monarchs – following the King’s ascension to the throne in January.

Last year, it was Frederik’s mother, Queen Margarethe, 84, who completed the boat tour. 

In December 2023, Queen Margrethe shocked the nation and many royal watchers around the world when she used her annual New Year’s Eve speech to announce live on television that she was stepping down as Queen after 52 years. 

This made Margrethe the first monarch to abdicate the Danish throne in 900 years and lead to speculation that the royal had made this decision to keep her daughter-in-law, who is extremely popular with the public, on side. 

The announcement came just weeks after Frederik hit the headlines when he was pictured on a night out in Madrid with a Mexican socialite, sparking rumours of an alleged ‘affair’.

The former monarch signed her historic abdication papers with her son and grandson Prince Christian, 18, present in Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen.   

The Queen’s last words before leaving the Council of State were: ‘God save the King.’

Australian-born Mary and Frederik’s 23-year romance was often dubbed a ‘real-life fairytale’ after they met in a Sydney pub. 

But pictures emerged of the monarch having an evening out with Mexican socialite Genoveva Casanova – the former daughter-in-law of the billionaire Duchess of Alba – in November last year.

The pair were seen walking through Madrid before heading to her apartment building, changing clothes and heading out again for the evening.

The Danish Palace refused to comment on rumours of an affair between Frederik and Genoveva, however the socialite strenuously denied any suggestion of a romantic relationship. 

The Royal Yacht Dannebrog has served as the Danish Royal Family’s cruise ship since May 1932 and has travelled over 800,000 miles.

The luxury yacht hosts the Royal Family on both their private holidays and during official overseas engagements.

The yacht’s royal compartment still contains furniture and fittings dating back to 1879 that that was on board the family’s previous yacht.

On Wednesday, Queen Mary looked typically stylish as she stepped out in Assens alongside King Frederick today.

The royal couple visited the Danish city as part of their summer tour on the Royal Yacht Dannebrog.

For her outing, the Australian-born Queen, 52, looked the epitome of elegance in a orange and cream midi dress, which billowed in the wind as she walked alongside her husband.

She teamed the eye-catching garment with a sophisticated cream blazer, which featured statement overlapping lapels, long sleeves and a cinched waist.

Finishing off her stylish ensemble, the royal mother-of-four donned blush heels and a matching headpiece.

Adding a touch of glitz to her outfit, Queen Mary wore three gold necklaces and a pair of diamond earrings.

Frederik, 56, meanwhile, looked as equally smart as his wife, sporting military uniform for the outing before changing into a sophisticated suit and tie.

During their visit, the couple toured a reforestation project, an energy-efficient wastewater treatment plant, as well as one of Denmark’s leading companies in rainwater cleaning products.

Yesterday, the pair put on a bright and summery display as they visited the Baltic Sea island of Ærø. 

They looked to be enjoying the weather on Ærø, as Mary wore a smart sunhat and Frederick looked cool in a pair of shades. 

After arriving to the island via boat at lunchtime, the royals took to Instagram to thank the locals for the ‘great welcome’ they’d received. 

Mary and Frederick looked cheery as they waved to crowds on their arrival, before shaking hands with local residents on the island in southern Denmark. 

The Queen, who looked impeccably stylish in a pleated maxi skirt and white blouse, was also gifted a bouquet of flowers after stepping ashore. 

She added baby blue kitten heels from Jimmy Choo, which had a fishnet design and featured the designer’s initials. 

Meanwhile her husband Frederick looked smart in a grey suit and red tie as he grinned alongside his wife in what made for a very positive display. 

The day before they put on an warm display as they made the first stop on their summer tour to Bornholm.

The pair were pictured tasting local produce and speaking with small business-owners during their tour of the small island 105 miles southeast of Copenhagen

During the engagement, Frederik and Mary were pictured laughing and smiling together and later wrote on Instagram how Bornholm had lived up to its nickname of ‘sunshine island’.

Queen Mary looked effortlessly elegant in a white shirt, rust-coloured trousers and chunky trainers.  

The mother-of-four styled her brown hair in her signature brown waves and completed her low-key ensemble with minimal jewellery and tortoiseshell sunglasses. 

Meanwhile, King Frederik was dapper in a slim-fitting blue shirt, brown trousers and boots.