She’s feted the world over for her royal status, but to giggling tot Isabella, she’s just Mum.

Princess Mary lets her hair down and beams as she chases after Isabella at Fredensborg Palace in Copenhagen, before scooping her into the air for a hug.

In from the cold
‘Isabella laughed and laughed,’ a palace insider says. ‘They were having such fun. It’s obvious Mary loves being a hands-on mum.’

The cheeky two-year-old, with her hair in tiny pigtails, was off to a celebration of her grandfather’s 75th birthday when she made a run for it, her mum in hot pursuit, before dissolving into hysterics.

The warm, loving display’s a rare insight into Mary’s private world – and a stark contrast to the reputation of aloofness she’s earned at royal engagements.

‘I love the Danes,’ Mary says. ‘Do they really find me so cold?’

But it’s moments like these that have helped soften the princess’ image in the eyes of the Danish public. The secret to her new happiness: her clear delight in being a mum.

 
Motherhood’s her favourite role and insiders believe it’s helped save her marriage to Frederik by bringing them closer.

Already a mum to Isabella and three-year-old Christian, Mary, 37, is keen to add to her brood. She’s so thrilled at playing mum.

Far from living a fairytale, Mary’s been under enormous stress this past year, enduring the hurt of a humiliating book that paints Frederik, 41, as a playboy.

They were under fire for an extravagant lifestyle that blew their annual $4 million budget by $500,000 – and their popularity was on the wane.

Focus on family
The couple’s marriage had suffered, but they’ve turned to each other, and their children.

‘Mary has had to woo back the public’s affection,’ the insider says. ‘But with the kids by her side she has managed it.’

Mary’s down-to-earth Aussie upbringing is a huge factor in her approach. ‘Mum would do anything for her children,’ Mary says. ‘That’s how I am too. I’d do anything for them.’

Frederik is also determined to be a hands-on parent after being raised by nannies and having a lonely childhood. Both Mary and Frederik want their kids to have as normal a childhood as possible without palming them off to be looked after by palace staffers.

A source says: ‘Mary’s keen to give the kids a happy life. That means doing things together.’