Table tennis and a ‘hot nerd’ bracelet: The moment in Melbourne that caught Queen Mary off guard

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King Frederik and Queen Mary arrive to a standing ovation at Melbourne’s Sofitel, opening a Denmark–Australia forum on green energy, trade and security cooperation. Behind the warm welcome was a harder edge, a new defence-linked deal, closer ties, and a warning of “troublesome days” ahead from the King.Credit:Justin McManus

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King Frederik and Climate Minister Chris Bowen talk with Danish clean-tech firms during a marathon met and greet with 44 companies. The scale of the delegation is evident — as is the pace.Credit:Justin McManus

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Queen Mary speaks with Centrica Energy during the Melbourne forum, taking the opposite end of the business walk to King Frederik.Credit:Justin McManus

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Their majesties are guided through the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, including the reNEW Stem Cell Centre, where researchers outlined their cutting-edge work.Credit:Getty Images

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At the last stop before lunch, King Frederik and his Australian-born wife Queen Mary walk through laboratories at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, where scientists showcased their stem cell research and emerging therapies.Credit:Getty Images

6/18

King Frederik plays table tennis during a visit to Headspace South Melbourne, opting in after declining a kick of the footy earlier in the week. The result was decisive — a first-to-five loss.Credit:Jason South

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Queen Mary watches young people make Taylor Swift-style friendship bracelets during a visit to headspace South Melbourne. When she asks one participant what hers said, the answer - “hot nerd” - caught her by surprise.Credit:Jason South

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Denmark’s King Frederik and Queen Mary tour headspace and engage with the Headspace National Youth Reference Group and Headspace South Melbourne Youth Advisory Group.Credit:Jason South

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King Frederik and Queen Mary officially open an art exhibition at Artbank in Collingwood, by Danish–Australian duo Ting & Bojesen. The show explores the boundary between nature and technology.Credit:Simon Schluter

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The royal couple are guided through the exhibition by artists Rhoda Ting and Mikkel Bojesen - who like Frederik and Mary, are a married Danish–Australian duo.Credit:Simon Schluter

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King Frederik embraces his Australian-born wife, Queen Mary, in Collingwood at the exhibition opening. This is their first official visit to Australia by the royal couple since the King’s ascension to the Danish throne in January 2024.Credit:Simon Schluter

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King Frederik and Queen Mary take part in a traditional smoking ceremony led by Wurundjeri and Woi-wurrung elder, Uncle Andrew Gardiner. The ceremony took place in the Royal Botanic Gardens ahead of a cocktail party for the royal couple on Wednesday evening.Credit:Joe Armao

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Professor Glyn Davis, Victorian Governor Margaret Gardner, Australian Governor-General Sam Mostyn, Queen Mary and King Frederik of Denmark walk through the Royal Botanic Gardens ahead of a cocktail reception.Credit:Joe Armao

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In an unscripted moment, Queen Mary addressed dinner guests, reflecting on her years living in South Yarra, just off Toorak Road. With a noticeably broader accent the Queen joked that her Aussie accent had taken a few days to come back.Credit:Joe Armao