‘My heart is heavy and my thoughts are grey.’

Queen Mary’s emotional speech

Queen Mary of Denmark has been seen in public for the first time since the death of her father John Donaldson.

The Australian-born queen confirmed the sad news of his passing on Sunday, revealing Donaldson had died aged 84 in Tasmania.

While Mary paid tribute to her father in an emotional statement shared on Instagram at the time, she had not been seen in public until Thursday.

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Queen Mary appeared alongside her husband, King Frederik, to mark his mother’s 86th birthday.

The couple were seen arriving at Fredensborg Palace, the Danish royal family’s spring and autumn residence, to attend a concert by the Royal Life Guards Music Corps.

Queen Mary appeared alongside her husband King Frederik to celebrate his mother’s birthday. Queen Mary appeared alongside her husband King Frederik to celebrate his mother’s birthday. Credit: AP Queen Mary put on a brave face for the crowd, while mourning the loss of her father. Queen Mary put on a brave face for the crowd, while mourning the loss of her father. Credit: AP

Queen Margrethe, the former Danish monarch, and her sister, Anne-Marie, were also in attendance, seated as they acknowledged the well-wishers.

For the outing, Mary wore a dark navy ensemble rather than traditional black mourning attire.

Navy is often chosen for formal engagements held outside of funerals, as it can appear black in photographs while still observing mourning conventions.

While the family has asked for privacy to grieve, Mary put on a brave face for the event as she waved to the crowd.

Queen Mary announces father’s death

Queen Mary shared a heartfelt tribute to her father in a statement shared on Sunday.

“My heart is heavy and my thoughts are grey. My beloved father has passed away,” she said in a translated message.

“But I know that when the grief settles, the memories will brighten my day, and what will remain strongest is love and gratitude for everything he gave me and taught me.”

Australian-born Queen Mary of Denmark shared a special tribute to her father. Australian-born Queen Mary of Denmark shared a special tribute to her father. Credit: Instagram/AP

Born in Scotland on September 5, 1941, John Donaldson spent most of his life in Tasmania, where he built a distinguished career as a mathematician and longtime academic at the University of Tasmania.

The post revealed Donaldson’s health had been declining in recent years and Mary was able to spend time with her father during her recent visit to Tasmania in March.

A private funeral service is expected to be held, although the royal household’s official schedule suggests it may take place after the weekend, following the confirmation of Mary’s twin children, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine.