Queen Margrethe hopes that Prince Frederik and Princess Mary will reconcile following her abdication from the throne. The Danish monarch, aged 83, surprised the nation by announcing her decision to step down on January 14 during her New Year's Eve address. This move marks the first abdication in Denmark in 500 years, signaling the end of her reign as Europe's longest-serving monarch.

While the news came as a shock to many Danes, royal author Phil Dampier speculated that the abdication might be related to ensuring the stability of Prince Frederik's marriage to Princess Mary, who hails from Australia.

"I never thought the Queen would abdicate, and this has come as a total shock to many Danes," Dampier told MailOnline. "I can’t help thinking that it has something to do with the recent rumors about Crown Prince Frederik spending a night with a Mexican socialite."

The announcement followed Princess Mary's apparent unease amid rumors about her husband's alleged affair. She shared a cryptic Christmas message addressing loneliness and isolation, and upon her arrival in Australia with their children, Frederik joined them after a few days. Dampier noted Mary's emotional state, mentioning that she "appeared tearful at one stage and posted some poignant tweets."

"I think Margrethe may have worried that their marriage was in trouble and therefore she had to act," Dampier said. "The Queen always thought Mary was a fantastic asset to the royal family, and if she thought she might leave, it would have been a disaster."

Princess Mary has often drawn comparisons to Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, within the British monarchy.

Dampier suggested that Margrethe "will now hope that Frederik and Mary patch up any differences and work together as the new King and Queen."

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