King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark have been taking some well-deserved time off this month, and now their secret holiday spot has been revealed, according to reports. The Danish royals have been absent from royal duties since July 8, with the king’s mother, Queen Margrethe, and their eldest son, Crown Prince Christian, taking charge.
Frederik was seen on July 7 attending the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, and while Mary usually visits her hometown of Hobart, Tasmania, this year, the couple went on holiday somewhere a bit closer to home, according to local media. Danish magazine HER & Nu said the royal couple spent time at their French abode, Château de Cayx, in Cahors, southern France.
They reportedly had their two twins with them, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine.
The lavish château has been in the possession of the Danish royal family since 1974, when Queen Margrethe and her husband, Prince Henri, bought it.
According to its website, Margrethe and Henri restored and transformed the château over the years and re-established its winery, which now covers close to 24 hectares and can be visited by the public.
Frederik and Mary returned home on July 21, as per Hello! magazine, but they are not due to undertake any royal engagements until July 28, when they move to their summer residence, Gråsten Palace, in the south.
In May, they resided in The Chancellery House, the Danish royal family’s spring residence.
While on her summer break this month, Queen Mary issued a highly personal message on her Mary Foundation’s social media on the day her summer holiday started. The foundation was launched in 2007 to improve the lives of vulnerable women and children.
The new post, which featured a photograph of the Danish queen in a blue shirt and glasses, shared the message: “Summer can do something really special. Kids are splashing in the city’s mushroom pools and at the local beach.
“Bright, long evenings with the family. And the sound of happy students driving through the streets.”
Mary spoke about how summer reminds her of the “importance of community,” explaining: “How lovely and rewarding communities can be, but also how difficult it can be for those standing outside the community.
She added: “With the summer holidays, fewer formalised communities follow. School, recreational activities, and clubs are typically closed. It takes more of all of us to reach out and invite others into the community.
“But I believe that community and a sense of belonging arise when we see each other and make room for diversity in tolerant and diverse communities.
“I hope that summer brings presence, joy, and a sense of belonging. Have a great summer from us at Mary Fonden. “