Princess Mary pens emotional open letter to Australia amid devastating bushfires

She may now be a member of the Danish royal family, set to become Queen when her husband Crown Prince Frederik ascends to the throne, however Crown Princess Mary still maintains close ties with her Australian heritage having been born and raised in the Tasmanian capital of Hobart.

So, as her home country continues to battle devastating bushfires, the Aussie-born princess has penned a letter to her fellow Australians and Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Describing the current situation – which has resulted in the death of 25 people so far as well as extensive loss of land, property and wildlife – as a “time of great hardship”, Mary said the resolve and attitude of those affected has made her feel proud to be Australian.

“In this time of great hardship caused by the ruthless bush fires, my husband and I would like to convey our warmest wishes to the Australian people as we enter a new year,” Princess Mary wrote, in a letter published on the Danish royal family’s website.

“Our heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost loved ones and our deepest sympathy to the many families who have lost their homes – their livelihoods.

“When the immediate crisis subsides and people can begin to return from where they have fled, our thoughts and concerns will remain with the affected local communities, as it will undoubtedly take great efforts and time for them to rebuild what has been lost.”

The mother-of-four added: “The courage and unyielding efforts of the volunteer firefighters have our deepest respect and admiration.

“Following from afar, it makes me proud of my Australian heritage to witness the strong sense of community and the Australian spirit of ’never giving up’ in the face of such devastation and adversity.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/B6-Xw_TgcJR/

Mary’s letter comes as the couple’s children begin a three-month stint at an international school in the Swiss town of Verbier, which Mary and Frederik hope will give Prince Christian, 14, Princess Isabella, 12, and eight-year-old twins Princess Josephine and Prince Vincent, a “common experience”.

A post on the Det Danske Kongehus Instagram page said: “In the village of Verbier in the Swiss Alps, Your Royal Highnesses Prince Christian, Princess Isabella, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine today began a 12-week school break at the Lemania-Verbier International School.

“With the school stay, the Crown Prince couple wants to give their children a common experience in an international environment.”