The father of Denmark's Queen Mary, John Donaldson, has died in Tasmania, Australia, the royal house in Copenhagen said on Sunday. He died at the age of 84.

His health had been declining in recent years, with Queen Mary last visiting him in March during a royal tour of the country with her husband, King Frederik.

The royal statement today quoted Mary as saying: "My heart is heavy. But I know that when the grief settles, the memories will brighten my day, and what will remain strongest is love and gratitude for everything he gave me and taught me.

The statement said the family will hold a private memorial service for Donaldson "at a later date."

John Dalgleish Donaldson was born in East Lothian, Scotland, on September 5, 1941. After graduating from the University of Edinburgh with a degree in mathematics and physics, he emigrated to Australia in the 1960s with his first wife, Henrietta Clark Horne.

He was a respected mathematician who taught at the University of Tasmania for decades.

Donaldson’s health had been deteriorating in recent years, and sadly he was unable to attend his daughter’s coronation in 2024.

"He is getting to be an elderly gentleman and he is not well enough to take the long trip back to Denmark for a confirmation, but he is with us in our hearts," the Queen said at the time.

A private memorial service for Donaldson will be held at a later date, with the family asking for privacy during this time.

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