‘I’m a bit lost for words, I’m a bit overwhelmed.’

Queen Mary’s emotional speech

Queen Mary was “lost for words” as she gave an impromptu speech in Tasmania, where she grew up, on the final day of her official Australian visit.

Mary and her husband, King Frederik X of Denmark, were at Government House in Hobart on Thursday for the last engagement of their history-making tour.

While the king was due to address the crowd, the Australian-born queen unexpectedly spoke before her husband, sharing an emotional message to her home country.

“I’m a bit lost for words, I’m a bit overwhelmed,” Queen Mary said, her voice wavering.

“But thank you everyone for being here. Last night, I ended a speech in Melbourne saying how privileged I am that my roots are grounded both in Australia and Denmark.

“But they do go a little bit deeper in Tasmania.

“There really isn’t a more special place to end what has been a unique, rewarding, moving, exciting, curious tour, state visit, to Australia from Denmark.”

Mary was born and raised in Hobart, Tasmania, where her father and two sisters still live.

Frederik, then the Crown Prince of Denmark, and Mary first met in Australia during the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Queen Mary unexpectedly spoke before her husband King Frederik, sharing an emotional message to her home country. Queen Mary unexpectedly spoke before her husband King Frederik, sharing an emotional message to her home country.  Credit: Instagram King Frederik X of Denmark and Queen Mary during a State Reception hosted by the Governor of Tasmania at Government House in Hobart. King Frederik X of Denmark and Queen Mary during a State Reception hosted by the Governor of Tasmania at Government House in Hobart. Credit: AAP

Royal tour comes to an end

The Danish royals wrapped up their official six-day Australian visit in Hobart on Thursday, greeting adoring crowds in the afternoon.

The day started with a Welcome to Country at Government House, followed by a close encounter with a lobster on a boat tour of kelp restoration areas.

There was a trip to ship builder Incat, which fittingly supplies electric ferries to Denmark, before a visit to art gallery MONA.

Danish colours and flags lined Hobart’s waterfront — Mary accepted flowers, notes and gave time to some of the youngest in the crowd.

King Frederik and Queen Mary met with members of the public during a visit to the Hobart Waterfront, Tasmania. King Frederik and Queen Mary met with members of the public during a visit to the Hobart Waterfront, Tasmania. Credit: AAP Frederik and Mary aboard the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) vessel to view the kelp conservation forest. Frederik and Mary aboard the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) vessel to view the kelp conservation forest. Credit: AAP

People watched from balconies while others yelled out “welcome home Mary”.

It was the Danish royals’ first official visit to Tasmania in more than two decades and their first to Australia since ascending the throne in 2024.

Born Mary Donaldson, the queen’s link to the island state is deep and enduring, a point Premier Jeremy Rockliff made before the visit.

“This is a significant national event and it’s fitting for Tasmanians to be able to welcome Queen Mary home in person,” he said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who joined the entourage at Incat, described Mary as an icon.

The tour was aimed at deepening trade ties between Queen Mary’s adopted and home nations, with a focus on a shared and green future.