The relationship between Queen Letizia and Princess Mary, who this December 14 will become the new Queen of Denmark after the abdication of Queen Margrethe, who reigned for 52 years, is one of mutual respect and admiration.
Both have had to overcome many obstacles to adapt to their new life as royal consorts, and have demonstrated their ability to represent their countries with elegance and professionalism.
Relationship between Queen Letizia and Mary of Denmark
Queen Letizia and the future consort of Denmark, Mary Donaldson, have gone through very similar paths. In their transit, full of criticism and difficulties, they have come out successful and with greater weight for society.
Denmark has a very special meaning for Queen Letizia. It was in Copenhagen, on the eve of the wedding of the then Prince Frederick and Australian lawyer Mary Donaldson, when the future Spanish queen participated in her first royal event at the wedding of the Danish couple.
Other similarities between the two women are that both couples announced their engagement within days of each other in November 2003 and married almost simultaneously, on May 14, 2004 in the case of Frederick and Mary, and on May 22, 2004 in the case of Felipe and Letizia.
Their first children – Leonor and Christian – were born in the same month of October, two weeks apart, in 2005.
Their second children were born in April 2007, also within days of each other.
Letizia and Mary have much in common. They were both born in the same year, grew up in middle-class families and had successful professional careers.
Letizia was a journalist and Mary was a lawyer. However, both gave up their jobs for love of their respective princes.
Criticism of Queen Letizia and Mary of Denmark
Their status as royals has exposed them to public scrutiny and criticism.
Mary has been reproached for her penchant for luxury fashion and her lack of commitment to Denmark’s social causes.
Letizia has been questioned for her thinness, her coldness and her supposedly domineering personality.
Despite everything, the two maintain a good relationship and a dignified and responsible attitude.
This could be seen in the last official visit of the King and Queen of Spain to Denmark, in April and November 2023, where they showed their complicity and smiles.