The Foreign Office has issued its “deepest apologies” to the Danish Royal family for accidentally inviting Princess Mary to Queen Elizabeth II’s royal burial.
The FCDO apologized to the Danish Royal Household via the Danish Embassy, according to a representative for MailOnline.
They stated, “The FCDO has conveyed its deepest apologies to the Danish Royal Household via the Danish Embassy.”
According to Danish media, a typo in the invitation to Queen Margrethe II caused the misunderstanding, since it appeared that the Queen’s visitor, her son Crown Prince Frederik, could also bring a plus one.
In accordance with convention, however, current heads of state were invited to bring one guest to the state burial of Queen Elizabeth II, held yesterday at Westminster Abbey.
On September 10, she was last seen with Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark at the gala dinner celebrating the 50th anniversary of Her Queen Margrethe II of Denmark’s ascension to the throne.
On Monday, Queen Magrethe II and her son, Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark, attended the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey.
It has been suggested that the’regrettable blunder’ occurred because the Foreign Office had to send out several invitations in a short period of time.
Yesterday, 2,000 mourners, including international leaders, foreign royals, and several hundred ordinary Britons, filled Westminster Abbey for the Queen’s funeral.
But the 50-year-old princess of Australian descent was conspicuously absent from the service, while her husband Prince Frederik and mother-in-law Queen Margrethe were there.
The Danish royal family initially announced Princess Mary’s presence on September 13, with a statement stating that “HM The Queen and the Crown Prince Couple [will be] present at the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on September 19, 2022 at Westminster Abbey, London, Great Britain.”
However, in a statement issued six days later, it was confirmed that only “Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness The Crown Prince” would “participate from Denmark”; Princess Mary’s absence was not mentioned.
Reportedly, British officials made a “regrettable blunder” in sending the initial invitation to Princess Mary.
The Royal house informed the Danish newspaper BT that the invitation from the British Foreign Office’s protocol contained a regrettable inaccuracy.
From the Danish side, only the Queen and the Crown Prince will attend the official burial of Queen Elizabeth II on Monday.
Royal critics have observed the conspicuous absence of Princess Mary of Denmark, who was born in Australia, at the Queen’s funeral.
The Danish royal family was claimed to be in full force when an official announcement was made on September 13, however, six days later, the 50-year-old mother of four was unable to be seen.
Prince Frederik and Queen Margrethe sat next to King Charles III and his family at the funeral on Monday, making them the only two reigning monarchs left in the world.
Jacob Heinel Jensen, royal journalist for BT, stated that the Danish royal family would have been “upset” by the last-minute alteration.
It is quite awkward and unfortunate… It has forced the Royal House to admit that a mistake was made, which is embarrassing,’ he said.
“I believe the Royal House readily recognizes that an error has been made. When I was in London and the British media reported that there were only two invitees per country, I was perplexed.
In light of the fact that we received three invitations, Denmark and the royal family of the United Kingdom must have exceptionally tight ties.
Hundreds of emperors, kings, queens, presidents, prime ministers, and other foreign dignitaries, in addition to several hundred ordinary Britons selected by Her Majesty, attended the state funeral at Westminster Abbey in London.
More than twenty Royal Families were represented, including the kings and queens of the Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway.
King Jigme and Queen Jetsun of Bhutan and the Sultan of Brunei were also in attendance. Emperor Naruhito, who rarely travels abroad, was also there.
Among the first monarchs to view the monarch lying-in-state in Westminster Hall were King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain and King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden.
Queen Margrethe was among the first worldwide monarchs to pay respect to Her Majesty and had a close relationship with Queen Elizabeth II.
Before Monday’s funeral, she was also seen shedding a tear in front of the Queen’s casket.
Both queens are great-great grandchildren of Queen Victoria, making them third cousins, with Margrethe frequently viewing Elizabeth as a big sister.
In May, Margrethe told ITV news in the United Kingdom that Elizabeth, 14 years her senior, was a “great inspiration” to her as the only other living monarch.
With the passing of Elizabeth II, Margrethe II of Denmark has become the world’s sole surviving monarch.
When [Queen Elizabeth] became queen, she was 26 years old. When I was a child, I wished I wouldn’t be so young when my father passed away. It had a tremendous impact on me. The fact that she was devoting her life to the cause. I grasped the meaning. This is permanent. This is the purpose of my existence. And I’m sure she does as well,’ she remarked.
“When I was growing up, my parents told me, “Look at what they do in England,” and I saw that it was possible, worthwhile, and you could live a very complete life with it, despite a busy schedule and difficult job.”
The mother of two noted that both Queens view their roles as ‘dedication’ and ‘a profession,’ and that Elizabeth’s ‘approach to her responsibilities’ impressed her.
The manner in which she has fulfilled her responsibilities and devoted her life, and she does so with a grin. She has through numerous hardships,’ she continued.
“When you reach my age, you will no longer wonder, “What am I going to do tomorrow?” I am perfectly aware of what I will do tomorrow, the next day, and the following year.
Queen Margrethe of Denmark led international royals in paying their respects to Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away at the age of 96. They were photographed in 2000 at the Natural History Museum in London
Additionally, they had adorable nicknames for one another. Margrethe referred to Elizabeth by her childhood nickname, “Lilibet,” but Elizabeth referred to Margrethe as “Daisy.”
Many members of the Danish monarch’s family refer to her as “Aunt Daisy” since she was named after her grandmother, Princess Margareta of Sweden, and her name resembles the Nordic word for the daisy flower.
“We are very loving, but I don’t want to broadcast it everywhere,” she said ITV of Queen Elizabeth II.
The two also share a passion for pets. While Elizabeth will forever be identified with corgis, Margrethe is recognized for her love of dogs in Denmark.
While Elizabeth received her first corgi as a child, the late Prince Henrik introduced Margrethe to dachshunds.
The Danish royal family, particularly Mary, who was born in Hobart, had a close relationship with Elizabeth. Photographed in 2016
Margrethe was also among the first royals to pay respect to the Queen last week, upon her passing.
After Elizabeth II passed away quietly at Balmoral, she sent the new King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla her “deepest thoughts and prayers” in a statement.
Speaking on behalf of the Danish family, she was “deeply affected” by the news of the passing of her “loving mother.”
She added, “I send you and Camilla my warmest thoughts and prayers.”
She was a towering figure among European monarchs and a tremendous source of inspiration for all of us. We will miss her tremendously.
“Her 70 years of reign and dedication to the people of the United Kingdom, the Realms, and the Commonwealth are a great and unprecedented accomplishment.”
In February, Margrethe and Mary met with and officially welcomed Kate Middleton to Copenhagen.
She was a towering figure among European monarchs and a tremendous source of inspiration for all of us. We will deeply miss her,’ she wrote.
We will never forget her significant contributions to their growth and prosperity.
The Danish royal family, notably Princess Mary of Hobart, had a close relationship with Queen Elizabeth.
Margrethe and Mary met with Kate Middleton in February and formally welcomed her to Copenhagen.
Mary has attended the Royal Ascot horse race with the Queen and Prince Edward in the past.