John Donaldson died in Australia at the age of 84, but his funeral will take place later than royal fans might expect

Denmark's Queen Mary attends an Australian/Denmark Parliamentary Friendship Group afternoon tea event at Parliament House in Canberra on March 16, 2026© POOL/AFP via Getty Images

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Flags are flying at half-mast in Denmark following the death of John Donaldson, Queen Mary of Denmark’s father, at the age of 84, as per official protocol. Flowers have been laid outside Amalienborg Palace as a symbol of solidarity from citizens wishing to send their condolences to the grieving royal.

A private funeral service will be held, according to the royal household; however, the official schedule suggests it will not take place until after the weekend, when his grandchildren, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, are set to be confirmed.

It’s been a difficult week for Mary, who, with no engagements until Saturday, is grieving the death of her father. Saturday is also a highly anticipated day for her twin sons, who will receive one of the most important sacraments of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Denmark at Fredensborg Palace.

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The celebration will bring together almost the entire royal family, though it will inevitably be overshadowed by the memory of Queen Mary’s father, who maintained a close relationship with his daughter and grandchildren despite his characteristically discreet nature.

Meanwhile, Frederik of Denmark has continued with his duties and has reappeared at audiences at the Royal Palace. This is the only thing on the King’s agenda so far during these difficult days following the death of his father-in-law.

Denmark royals© Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Ima
Queen Mary and Crown Prince Frederik’s children are being confirmed this weekend

Another mystery surrounding Donaldson’s funeral is where he will be laid to rest. Although he spent most of his life in Australia, the country where his children were born, Annemette Krakau, royal expert for the Danish publication Billed Bladet, believes there is a possibility that his remains will be laid to rest much closer to Denmark.

Close family bond

Queen Mary’s father was born and raised in Scotland, so it’s not out of the question that he could be buried there, where his wife Henrietta, Mary’s mother, who died in 1997, has also been laid to rest.

Queen Mary in red dress© Getty Images
Queen Mary has been left heartbroken by the death of her beloved father

John Donaldson was born in Scotland on September 5, 1941, and enjoyed a distinguished academic career as a professor of Applied Mathematics before settling in Australia in 1963, where he started his family and lived for decades.

He spent much of his life in Tasmania, but never lost his deep connection to the British Highlands. The image of an emotional John walking his daughter Mary down the aisle in a traditional kilt at her wedding is unforgettable.

Mary's father, John Donaldson, walked her down the aisle to marry Crown Prince Frederik in 2004© Getty Images
Mary’s father, John Donaldson, walked her down the aisle to marry Crown Prince Frederik in 2004

“My heart is heavy, and my thoughts are gray. My beloved father has passed away. But I know that when the grief settles, the memories will brighten my day, and what will remain strongest is the love and gratitude for all he gave me and taught me.”

With these heartfelt and personal words, the Danish royal family chose to let the Queen announce the sad news herself last Sunday. She did so with a photograph taken by Mary herself on March 24th in Hobart, coinciding with the Danish monarchs’ visit to Australia. It was her first visit to her homeland as Queen of Denmark, and after the official trip, she stayed a few more days.