Her Excellency the Honourable Barbara Baker AC, Governor of Tasmania, and Emeritus Professor Don Chalmers AO were this week delighted to host Their Majesties King Frederik X and Queen Mary of Denmark at Government House during their State Visit to Australia.
The Tasmanian leg of their visit began with a Welcome to Country and cleansing ceremony on the Government House lawns on Thursday morning.
Their Majesties joined Her Excellency and Professor Chalmers for the ceremony, led by Graeme Gardner.
Following the ceremony, they embarked on a day of engagements at locations across southern Tasmania, accompanied by a delegation of Danish business representatives.
In the evening, Their Majesties returned to Government House to attend a State Reception hosted by Her Excellency and Professor Chalmers.
In attendance were Tasmanian community, industry, arts and government representatives, as well as members of the Danish delegation.
Welcoming guests to the reception, Her Excellency said Tasmanians had been eagerly awaiting Their Majesties’ visit.
“We are all delighted to have you with us tonight,” Her Excellency said.
“Our State’s relationship with Denmark is strong and we are proud of our close connections.
“We know that this Royal visit will further build our ties and open new relationships.”
Her Majesty the Queen then spoke and raised a toast to a peaceful, secure, prosperous and sustainable future for both Denmark and Australia.
After the formalities, Their Majesties, Her Excellency and Professor Chalmers then spent time with guests in the Government House ballroom.
Guests enjoyed refreshments prepared by the Government House kitchen team, which showcased Tasmanian produce as well as the bounty of the Government House gardens.
On the menu was fresh Tasmanian seafood including freshly-shucked Pittwater oysters, Tasmanian Aboriginal Seafoods abalone, Flinders Island scallops and Southern rock lobster, as well as Huon Valley mushrooms, Robbins Island Wagyu beef, Rannoch Quail and Tasmanian pink eye potatoes. Guests also enjoyed Tasmanian wine and beer.
The Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra string quartet played throughout the event, and the Australian Army Band Tasmania played the Australian and Danish national anthems at the conclusion of the reception.
Following the reception, Their Majesties signed the Guest Book in the Main Hall at Government House as their State Visit officially drew to a close.
This week was not Their Majesties’ first visit to Government House. During their official visit as Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Denmark in 2005, they planted trees adjacent to the Government House drive.
Photos: Karen Brown and Richard Jupe