The calendar was cleared and the out-of-office replies turned on.
Like many others at this time of year, Queen Mary and King Frederik of Denmark recently embarked on a European summer getaway.
The Danish royal couple – joined by their 14-year-old twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine – have spent much of this past month enjoying some R&R at the royal-owned Château de Cayx in Cahors, France.
Unfortunately, their private holiday came at the precise moment chaos and confusion were unfolding back in Denmark – leaving the elderly and retired monarch Queen Margrethe to step in and clean up the mess.
So how did it end up this way?
Mary, 53, and Frederik, 57, had always planned to take time off this month to enjoy the summer break.
Danish publications reported that in early July they jetted to Cahors, located in the Midi-Pyrenees region, an area famous for its Malbec wine.
And it appears they were having such a fantastic time there that they decided to extend their stay – twice.
Like many others at this time of year, Queen Mary and King Frederik of Denmark recently embarked on a European summer getaway. They’re pictured here in the Faroe Islands in June, a month before they clocked off from royal duties
The Danish royal couple, along with their 14-year-old twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, have been enjoying an extended stay at Château de Cayx in Cahors, France
The Château de Cayx has been owned by the Danish royal family since 1974. It is located in the wine district of Cahors in southern France
Danish publication BILLED-BLADET reported that Frederik and Mary originally planned to return to their duties in Denmark by July 13, but later updated their plans, announcing they would stay a few extra days.
This date was then extended further, with the royal family’s official return to Gråsten Castle slated for July 28.
In the King and Queen’s absence, the role as regent would fall to the next in line to the throne – their teenage son Crown Prince Christian – but he was initially unavailable.
The lack of royal family members to pick up the baton meant there was no other option but to bring Queen Margrethe out of retirement.
As Mary and Fred extended their vacation for a second time, the former monarch – who abdicated the throne following a 52-year reign in 2024 – was left to run the show from July 9 to July 15.
When he was available, Crown Prince Christian then stepped up, with the 19-year-old holding down the fort until July 20.
It’s unclear whether Christian, Margrethe – or both – have been in charge as Mary and Fred enjoy the last days of their holiday.
Former monarch Queen Margrethe, 85, stepped in to the role of regent while Frederik and Mary took an extended holiday. She is seen here on July 20 at a royal engagement in Gråsten
Queen Margrethe resumed royal engagements while the king and queen were on holiday. She was joined by her sister Princess Benedikte for a procession event in Gråsten
The couple’s decision to prolong their holiday suggests it was a grand old time – but it also highlights just how few suitable royals are available when a regent is needed.
Perhaps if it had been ‘all systems normal’ in the King and Queen’s absence, their extended break would have gone unnoticed.
But unfortunately, it wasn’t exactly smooth sailing when Margrethe returned to duty.
The 85-year-old, who only two months prior was hospitalised with a worrying cold, found herself at the centre of a crisis as a potential intruder situation unfolded.
According to local Danish reports, Margrethe had a scare when royal guards were forced to detain a man who was careening towards her residence at Gråsten Palace.
Security rushed from the guardhouse to intervene as a man driving a caravan headed down a forbidden private access road.
Fortunately, it wasn’t a sinister intrusion – but rather a tourist who’d lost their way. The misunderstanding was quickly resolved without posing any serious threat.
But it certainly made Margrethe’s time in the hot seat a little more eventful.
Mary and Frederik were initially expected to return from holidays on July 13, but reports confirmed they had extended their stay twice. The royal couple are pictured here in 2024 at the Danish scenic spot Voderup Klinton on Ærø
Meanwhile, at Gråsten Palace (pictured) while Queen Margrethe was at the helm, royal guards detained a potential intruder when a lost tourist drove down a forbidden private road
Although it was ultimately a minor matter, one report suggested that Queen Mary was alarmed by the events.
It sparked some soul-searching about whether the royal family had been left vulnerable and exposed with so few family leaders on the ground in Denmark.
A source close to Mary even said they had considered cutting short their holiday to restore a sense of normalcy to the royal household.
Meanwhile, Australian media outlets have been painting a very different picture of Mary and Frederik’s twice-extended break.
Certain publications declared that the holiday was a ‘make-or-break’ moment for the pair’s 21-year marriage – and that the extensions were somehow proof of them working through unspecified personal issues.
Quoting a supposed inside source, Woman’s Day reported: ‘Mary and Frederik are making a big effort to spend as much time as possible repairing their marriage.
‘They both know what’s on the line and neither of them wants to spend the rest of their lives in a miserable situation. This summer is a chance for them to make new memories together and reset their relationship.’
It’s well-documented that Mary and Frederik’s marriage faced a crisis less than two years ago following the publication of paparazzi photos of Fred with a Mexican socialite in Madrid.
Queen Mary and King Frederik were last pictured together at an official royal event in Aarhus on July 3. They have since been ‘off-grid’ taking a private holiday
Is it cause for concern that the palace hasn’t corrected the latest scurrilous rumours describing the holiday as a ‘last-ditch attempt’ to save the marriage? Perhaps.
With Mary and Frederik ‘off-grid’ for the duration of their break, the royal family’s normally active Instagram feed has been eerily quiet this past fortnight (save for a few posts showcasing Queen Margrethe’s engagements and appearances – someone has to do the heavy lifting, after all.)
But going dark on socials at a time when their marriage is under scrutiny has meant the royal couple have had no right of reply on the speculation.
This is in stark contrast to their messaging all year, which has consistently projected the image of a united reigning couple.
Reports have already confirmed that the royal ship Dannebrog will arrive at Port of Sønderborg on August 6 – and it will be met there by the returning holidaymakers.
The king and queen will also spend time at nearby Gråsten Castle, where they will officially relieve Queen Margrethe of her temporary duties.
The king and queen’s return couldn’t come a moment too soon.
