When Queen Mary of Denmark went to Eurovision

Photo courtesy of The Court Jeweller

Today June 5 is Constitution Day in Denmark. Like the name suggests the day commemorates the signing of Denmark's first constitution in 1849 and the country's current constitution in 1953. Whilst Constitution Day is not officially a national day for the Nordic nation, it is often considered the equivalent.

Leading the celebrations will be King Frederik X and his Australian-born wife Queen Mary.

The couple famously met at the bar Slip Inn during the 2000 Sydney Olympics. They married in 2004 and have four children. This will be the first time the couple celebrates Constitution Day as regents of their country, after King Frederik acceded the throne on January 14 this year due to the abdication of his mother Queen Margrethe II. Queen Mary is the first Australian-born queen of a European country.

To celebrate this day and Queen Mary, we're looking back at her connections to Eurovision.

Eurovision 2014

Eurovision was hosted by Denmark in 2014, after Emmelie de Forest's win the previous year with Only Teardrops.

The event was held at B&W Hallerne, a former ship building industrial complex. Despite the seemingly unglamorous location, then Crown Princess Mary actually visited the venue twice during Eurovision week.

The first Eurovision event Princess Mary attended was a dress rehearsal of the second semi-final on May 8, 2014, along with her children Prince Christian and Princess Isabella.

Princess Isabella, Princess Mary and Prince Christian arriving at Eurovision rehearsals

Meeting Jessica Mauboy

Backstage they met 2013 Eurovision winner Emmelie de Forest, Denmark's representative in 2014 Basim, and Australia's very own Jessica Mauboy. Jess was performing her song Sea of Flags as an interval act during the second semi-final, which was organised to celebrate Australia's dedication to Eurovision.

Princess Mary shakes hands with Australia's Jess Mauboy as Emmelie de Forest watches on

Jess was delighted by the encounter, telling SBS:

"Meeting Princess Mary was absolutely divine ... she's such a beautiful woman and she was very gracious meeting us and having us meet her children."

Watching the live event

Later in the week Princess Mary returned to the Eurovision venue, this time with her husband then Crown Prince Frederik, to watch the live Grand final on May 10, 2014.

Princess Mary and Prince Frederik posing for photos ahead of the Eurovision 2014 Grand final

The royal couple stopped for some photos before the show, before sitting amongst other official delegates to watch the contest.

There they witnessed Austria's Conchita Wurst blaze to victory with Rise Like a Phoenix. Judging from the photos both Prince Frederik and Princess Mary looked as if they had a brilliant time.

Princess Mary and Prince Frederik in the audience of Eurovision 2014

Ten years on and royal couple are now King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark.

Their Nordic nation has not won Eurovision since. But given the appearance of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden at this year's contest as well as King Charles, Queen Camilla and Princess Catherine's montages at last year's Eurovision, we are hopeful that if Eurovision returns to Denmark in the near future the royal couple will pay another visit.

Denmark and Australia will always have a close bond thanks to Queen Mary.

We wish all our Danish readers and followers and very happy Constitution Day.

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