QUEEN MARY’S EMOTIONAL HOMECOMING: ROYAL COUPLE TOUR HOBART SHIPYARD AS TOUR WRAPS UP
News Headlines/Royal Visit Tasmania Posted Friday 20 march,2026
HOBART, TASMANIA — In a day marked by both high-tech industrialism and deeply personal nostalgia, King Frederik X and Queen Mary of Denmark concluded their historic six-day Australian state visit yesterday with a whirlwind tour of the Tasmanian capital.
The visit to Hobart—the Queen’s birthplace—served as the emotional finale to a journey that has spanned from the red sands of Uluru to the halls of power in Canberra. For the “Tassie girl” turned Danish monarch, the day was a blend of professional diplomacy and a heartfelt “victory lap” in her home state.
Denmark’s King Frederik X and Queen Mary greet attendees on Hunter Street in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, Thursday, March 19, 2026. (Ida Marie Odgaard/Ritzau Scanpix via AP)
Shipbuilding the Future: The INCAT Visit
The centerpiece of the day’s official engagements was a visit to the INCAT shipyard in Derwent Park. Accompanied by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff, the Royal Couple inspected the progress of a massive $3.5 billion deal between the Tasmanian shipbuilder and the Danish operator Molslinjen.
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Green Innovation: The King and Queen toured Hull 102, the first of three 129-metre battery-electric ferries. Once completed, these will be the largest electric catamarans in the world, capable of carrying 1,500 passengers and 500 cars across Denmark’s Kattegat routes.
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Royal Commemoration: During the tour, the couple unveiled a commemorative plaque on the vehicle deck of the vessel, symbolizing the “green link” between the two nations.
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A “Shift” to Remember: The royals spent significant time speaking with the shipyard’s workforce. “She came past and shook hands with all of us,” said Lewis Spalding, an apprentice welder. “Then it was straight back to work.”
From Kelp Forests to the Waterfront
Earlier in the day, the couple focused on environmental conservation, visiting the Alum Cliffs Marine Research facility near Taroona—the suburb where Queen Mary grew up.“It couldn’t have been a more perfect day for it,” the Queen remarked after handling a sea urchin as part of a briefing on kelp forest restoration.
The afternoon saw the couple walk through the historic Hunter Street on Hobart’s waterfront. Thousands of Tasmanians, many wearing plastic tiaras and waving Danish flags, lined the streets for a public meet-and-greet. The Queen was visibly moved as she passed her former school, Taroona High, during the motorcade.
A State Reception to Remember
The day concluded with a formal state reception at Government House, where Queen Mary delivered an emotional address to 150 invited guests, including her sister, Patricia Bailey.
What’s Next for the Royals?
With the official state visit concluded, the King and Queen are expected to spend a brief period of private time in Tasmania.
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Family Reunion: Sources indicate the Queen will visit her father, John Donaldson, who still resides in the state.
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Return to Copenhagen: The Royal delegation is scheduled to depart for Denmark over the weekend, concluding their first official trip to Australia since ascending the throne in January 2024.
