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Australian weds Danish prince

Tens of thousands of people filled the streets of Copenhagen Friday as Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark married Mary Donaldson, the first Australian to stand in line for a ruling throne.

An estimated 250,000 people, many waving Danish and Australian flags, cheered as the procession of black, vintage Rolls-Royces wound through the streets of the capital.

Security was intense along the three-kilometre parade route, with 1,300 uniformed police officers, army ambulances and police helicopters keeping watch.

Wearing an ivory satin gown and an antique lace-trimmed veil, the bride was accompanied down the aisle of Copenhagen's Our Lady Lutheran Cathedral by her father, who wore a kilt to mark his Scottish heritage.

A 32-year-old marketing executive and law graduate, Donaldson is the first Australian to stand in line for a reigning throne. She met the prince, who is next in line for the Danish throne, at a bar during the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.

She had to give up her Australian citizenship, convert to the Lutheran Church and learn the Danish language to marry the prince.

Britain's Prince Edward and his wife Sophie attended the wedding, along with royalty from Sweden, Japan, Belgium, Thailand, Monaco and Spain.

Denmark is Europe's oldest monarchy and the royal family enjoys strong support among Danes.

Posted by thinkum at May 15, 2004 11:10 AM