The Prince and Me: How Mary Met Frederick

          Mary Donaldson was the original Meghan Markle. The foreign girl next door who made a splash by marrying a playboy, impish prince. Certainly her story would have held America's attention more raptly if that prince had been British rather than Danish. However, Mary's story is just as interesting as Meghans's.

         Mary Donaldson was born and raised in Hobert, Australia. She didn't come from an illustrious background; rather her father was a professor and her mother was an assistant to a university VP. Mary had as much drive as Meghan though, and looked to land a prince.

Mary in 2018

         When the 2000 Olympics rolled around, the various European princes descended on Sydney. On one night, the group of young royals decided to visit The Slip Inn, a name I find quite amusing. Amongst the young royals carousing that night were allegedly Felipe of Spain, Frederick of Denmark, Joachim of Denmark, Martha Louise of Norway and the mutual cousin of Felipe and Frederick, Nicholas of Greece. Supposedly Mary had her sights set on Felipe, but found a more accommodating companion in Frederick. It is claimed Mary was unaware she was partying with royals, which isn't surprising as most people really only follow the British royals. However, other sources say Mary had her mind set on bagging a royal. She was quite successful.

       Supposedly Frederick was still dating another woman, a fellow Danish woman named Katja Storkholm. Allegedly Frederick and Katja were even engaged and were only prohibited from marrying as Queen Margarethe preferred her sons to marry non-Danes.  Can't be seen as too close to the commoners and all. It also didn't help that Katja was a model, which made for a less than impressive background. Despite this other relationship, Mary appeared in Denmark in 2001. Whether this was Frederick's idea or not is disputed. That same year, tabloids caught on to Mary and Frederick and publicized their romance.

Mary and Frederick in 2011

        Ultimately Mary and Frederick married in 2003. They have since had four children: Christian, Isabella, Vincent and Josephine. Whether they are happily married is still subject to rumors. Tabloids swirled when Frederick was sighted partying in a disco with a younger blonde, the day before his twins were to be christened. Officially, Frederick and Mary are a united family and Queen Margarethe seems happy with the marriage.