Princess Mary's moving, romantic speech to Prince Frederik brings him to tears on his 50th birthday. Video / Supplied
The love story between Princess Mary and Prince Frederik of Denmark is pretty remarkable.
Mary, who grew up in Tasmania, famously met her husband at the Slip Inn in Sydney's Darling Harbour during the 2000 Olympics. She gave up her life in Australia to move to Denmark, quickly becoming fluent in Danish and assuming official royal duties.
The couple have four children, Prince Christian, 12, Princess Isabella, 11, and 7-year-old twins Princess Josephine and Prince Vincent, and have been married for 14 years.
Prince Frederik and Princess Mary ride a horse-drawn carriage from Amalienborg Castle to Christiansborg Castle as he celebrates his 50th. Photo / AP
Prince Frederik just turned 50 and Mary gave an incredibly romantic, moving speech in his honour during the Crown Prince's birthday party at Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen.
She explained how the couple had both taken risks and made sacrifices to be together, but it has all been absolutely worth it.
"You invited me into your world and the world of the Danes, after we had only known each other for a short time. And there were, indeed, many unsure steps when we started our common journey, side-by-side and separated at one and the same time," Princess Mary said.
"We dared to lose that part of our heart, which we allowed the other to hold in their hands.
"It takes courage to dare, but without daring we lose what could have been. I am so happy that you swept me off my feet and that we dared to fall for each other — not for a moment, but for life."
Princess Mary explained how the couple had both taken risks and made sacrifices to be together, but it has all been absolutely worth it.
Prince Frederik just turned 50 and had a birthday party at Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen.
She explained how she was initially daunted at the prospect of marrying into a royal family.
"I got to know you in shorts and T-shirt, and I remember very clearly the first time you changed from casual to gala," she said.
"It was during my first visit to Denmark where we had celebrated our first New Year's together. I was sitting in the couch in your living room when you said that you should get ready for dinner, a dinner that is always held on 1st of January. At that time, I really didn't know so much about that part of your world. So, I didn't give it much thought.
"You left the room, as the man I knew, and came back in full gala uniform. It was suddenly a very different image of you that was new to me. Deeply impressive and daunting at the same time. But your eyes and your smile were the same. Gala or not."
Prince Frederik with his family from background left, Princess Mary and Queen Margrethe, and in front, Prince Vincent, Princess Isabella, Princess Josephine and Prince Christian. Photo / AP
Princess Mary praised her husband's talents as a father and his loyalty as a partner, causing him to wipe his eyes.
"For me, it is in our family moments that I feel most grateful, most united, most in love," she said.
"Sometimes we hit the target without even aiming. That is how I think of our first meeting. A stroke of good luck that became a choice.
"We have become so close by giving each other space. And you in particular have supported me in finding a foothold and my way in the world that was yours and is now ours. Although I'm at home here, I belong here, I was not born here ... My own explanation is that our roots continue to grow throughout our lives. We can always find our home."
