A fairytale, ten years on

It was a fairytale that started under the Sydney sun and blossomed under the pale skies of Paris and Copenhagen.  And ten years on, the fairytale goes on.  A series of special photos has been released to mark the tenth wedding anniversary of Frederik and Mary of Denmark and each goes to show that for this prince and princess, there really has been a happy ending.

A happy family heading to a happy future - the Crown Prince and Princess of Denmark with their four children in a special portrait released to mark their tenth wedding anniversary which takes place on May 14th 2014

A decade ago, Mary Elizabeth Donaldson said 'I do' to the future king of Denmark and became the first Australian in line to wear a European crown.  Their relationship had been played out in public for almost four years by then and in the ten years that have passed the scrutiny has only increased.

A king and queen in waiting - Frederik and Mary of Denmark get ready to mark a very special anniversary

But as they approach this special anniversary, the fairytale is intact.  The couple have built a family of four - including an historic set of royal twins - and developed roles within the Danish monarchy that have seen them flourish in the spotlight.  Europe's oldest throne has a very modern image thanks, in part, to Frederik and Mary.  Theirs is a once upon a time with a very happy ever after.