As the sun rises on the shores of Denmark on a wintry Sunday morning on January 14, Australia and Scotland will also be basking in the joy of the coronation of King Frederik and Queen Mary. Not since Hollywood star Grace Kelly won the heart of Monaco’s Prince Rainier in the 1950s have the world’s tabloids been so enchanted by elegant outsiders successfully joining the royal ranks. While listing the precise material inheritance of the monarch, l expect the real value of Mary’s image to the national psyche is priceless. The impact of royalty can be monumental, as demonstrated by King Christian X in WWII, who singularly across Europe refused to countenance anti-Jewish policy, often rode through the dangerous streets of Copenhagen to show affiliation with his people and was jailed for supporting the resistance. Tested in times of hardship, those monarchies surviving today have been led by inspirational people deserving their people’s trust. Mary Donaldson has surely struck such a chord in the Danish national psyche. Long live the Queen. Alan Sexton, North Parramatta 14Jan2024