Governor-General, Ministers, Excellencies, friends of Denmark and Australia,

It is truly a pleasure for Queen Mary and me to be here this evening.

Governor-General, thank you for your kind words, for hosting this memorable evening, and for the warmth and generosity with which you have received us.

Once upon a time, Denmark perhaps did not resonate widely in Australia.

Then something changed.

In 2004, your Mary and I were married, and with that, Denmark once again had a Crown Princess.

From that moment on, everyone “down under” knew of the Nordic country “up over”. 

The diplomatic ties between our two nations stretch back almost sixty years. But twenty-two years ago, those ties were forged even closer. Suddenly, we “shared” a real Princess.  

For me, Australia has held a very special place in my heart ever since I slipped into that bar and lost it in a conversation that has never ended. 

Mary, you had the courage to leave your beloved home and build a new one with me as far away as one can possibly go. For that, I will be forever grateful.

Australia is our second home. Whether we come here for a family visit or a State Visit, we feel both excited and entirely at ease.

Being here for the first time as King and Queen does not change that, although it does add somewhat to the planning. On behalf of both Mary and me, I would like to thank everyone involved in making this visit possible.

And what a spectacular beginning it has already been.

Last night, Mary and I watched the sun set over Uluru, the sacred home of the Anangu people. At dawn, we walked around the base of Uluru, and the beauty was breathtaking.

In the face of such immensity, one cannot help but feel small and finite. And the profound spiritual bond between First Nations peoples and their land becomes crystal clear.

One of the many lessons we can learn from Indigenous peoples around the world is the importance of living in harmony with nature – not at its expense, but by its grace.

Whenever I visit Greenland, it is evident that sustainability is not an optional extra. It is part of the very foundation of life, as it has been for generations of strong and proud Inuit living from the Arctic land and sea. 

We live in a time of global uncertainty. Like-minded countries are drawing closer together, finding strength in partnerships with friends far beyond their own shores.

Developments that underline the importance of our close collaboration, as set out in the Strategic Partnership Arrangement between our two countries signed in 2023.

And in times like these, energy independence, energy security and energy efficiency become even more relevant.

They are fundamental to our resilience and to our continued prosperity. 

Turning sustainability into good business is a powerful driver. That is why partnering across borders for a green, secure and sustainable tomorrow is a central objective of this visit.

In the coming days, we will see first-hand how Danish expertise contributes to expanding renewable energy as well as sustainable and energy efficient buildings. And in Tasmania, we will see Australian-built battery-electric ferries that will soon create a green link between Danish regions.

Whether it is Danish wind turbines in Australia or Australian electric ferries in Denmark, together they help pave the way towards a greener future for us all. The advantages of cooperation are considerable – and they run both ways.

Although Denmark and Australia lie almost on opposite sides of the globe, separated by continents and oceans, we are remarkably like-minded. And we share a common vision for the future.

We believe in equality and democracy. We cherish freedom of speech, of thought and of belief. We are close despite the distance, and we are friends – not least in difficult times.

On the 14 December last year, the tragic attack at Bondi Beach shocked us all. At the time, Mary and I sent our condolences from afar. It means a great deal to us to be able to convey our deepest sympathy here in Australia.

When I first set foot on Australian soil, I was someone who came from somewhere very far away.

When I returned four years later, the Kingdom of Denmark was no longer simply a distant place. It had become a country that people knew about and were talking about.

Over the years, my Australian family always made me feel truly welcome. They embraced me as one of their own, and I embraced everything Australian. 

I have even come to understand and appreciate that cricket – like AFL – is not only a time-consuming part of your national heritage but also an essential form of social bonding – the Aussie way. 

Governor-General,

I raise my glass to the people of Australia and Denmark. May our friendship continue to flourish and may the story we share continue happily ever after.

(Det talte ord gælder)