King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark have made a discreet trip to Australia to attend a private memorial service for Queen Mary’s late father, Professor John Donaldson.

The Danish Royal House confirmed on Wednesday that the King and Queen are in Hobart, Tasmania, for the private service after traveling from Denmark. A brief entry in the official royal diary stated, “The King and Queen attend a private memorial service for the Queen’s father, Mr. John Donaldson, in Hobart, Tasmania.” This visit was not announced publicly beforehand, and reports of the couple’s absence from Denmark surfaced when their 20-year-old son, Crown Prince Christian, was expected to serve as regent.

Professor Donaldson passed away in Hobart on April 11, 2026, at the age of 84. Born in Scotland in 1941, he immigrated to Australia with his family in 1963 and later became a professor of applied mathematics. Queen Mary, who was born and raised in Tasmania, spent time with her father during the King and Queen’s state visit to Australia in March. Following his death, the Queen described her father as “beloved” and expressed her love and gratitude for all he had given and taught her.

Donaldson was a significant presence in his daughter’s life, supporting her as she began her new life in Denmark. He also played a prominent role at her wedding to then-Crown Prince Frederik in Copenhagen in May 2004, walking her down the aisle. Donaldson’s first wife, Henrietta, died in 1997 due to complications from heart surgery. He later married British author Susan Moody in 2001. He and Moody subsequently lived in Denmark before returning to Australia.

The memorial service in Hobart occurs several months after Donaldson’s death and follows the royal couple’s recent attendance at the state funeral of King Harald V of Norway. Crown Prince Christian is expected to assume the role of regent during his parents’ absence from Denmark.