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Princess Mary said to become Queen after Prince's death
If the rumours swirling are to be believed, Tasmanian-born Princess Mary could become Queen a lot sooner than we all thought.
The 46-year-old, who is married to Denmark's Crown Prince Frederik, is said to be absolutely devastated over the death of her father-in-law, Prince Henrik yesterday.
And now it seems likely that she may have to step up her royal duties, as it’s being reported that Prince Henrik’s wife Queen Margrethe, may abdicate after her husband’s death.
The news comes after the Danish palace announced in a sad statement yesterday that 83-year-old Prince Henrik had passed away in his sleep.
Prince Henrik became ill on a recent trip to Egypt, where he was diagnosed with pneumonia.
Then on his return it was revealed that the prince had a benign tumour in his lung. He was also battling with a dementia diagnosis, which was revealed to the public last year.
"His Royal Highness Prince Henrik died Tuesday, February 13 at 23:18 peacefully in his sleep at Fredensborg Palace", the palace said in a statement.
The prince was surrounded by his wife and the couple’s two beloved sons, Frederick and Prince Joachim, at the time of his death.
Prince Frederik is first in line to the Danish throne and if his mother were to decide to abdicate, he would be the next king, making Princess Mary his queen.
Indeed, the 77-year-old Queen’s decision to abdicate wouldn’t be a big surprise to many, as she has herself suffered with her health in the last few years.
Just before Christmas, it was speculated that Queen Margrethe may actually abdicate on New Year's Eve and was set to announce her decision in her New Year's Eve speech, however that didn't come to fruition.
Queen Margrethe has always insisted that she will rule Denmark until the day she dies, however her husband’s death paired with her own ailing health may be reason enough for her to abdicate sooner rather than later.
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