Affectionately known as 'princess on the run' by the Danish press because of her packed schedule, Crown Princess Mary delighted well-wishers at the weekend by appearing at a golfing championship clad in girl-next-door style, with a gingham shirt and immense floppy straw hat. Tasmanian-born Mary, who's expecting her first child with Crown Prince Frederik in a few weeks' time, demonstrated her agility in the late stages of pregnancy by crouching down to receive a bouquet of flowers from a little girl.
The 33-year-old has apparently been preparing for childbirth with special yoga sessions with her personal trainer. Popular Mary has been the embodiment of healthy mum-to-be throughout her pregnancy, maintaining a busy schedule of engagements in maternity wear that's been admiringly copied in boutiques across the world.
And though she effortlessly maintains cheerful charm, Mary has extra cause to smile now it seems that Denmark could well do away with its sexist royal succession laws. These currently only allow a woman to inherit the throne if she has no brothers, as was the case with the current queen, Margrethe.
However, Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen intends to propose a change in this legislation when Parliament reassembles in October. Although the gender of the new arrival remains unknown, a consitutional revamp would mean that Mary and Frederik's first-born would eventually take the throne regardless of gender.
