Last week, the royal couple embarked on a four-day voyage around Danish municipalities, visiting Bornholm, Ærø, Assens, and Vejle.
During their stop in Assens, Mary, 52, had a heartwarming encounter with a special four-legged friend—the father of her family’s cherished dog, Coco. She posted a touching photo on the Danish royal family’s Instagram to celebrate International Dog Day on Monday, sharing the story behind the picture.
“Happy International Dog Day to all dog owners and friends,” Mary wrote. “At home, Grace and Coco hold a special place in our family’s hearts. Last week, I had the pleasure of meeting Coco’s father, Eagle, during our visit to Assens. It was a lovely surprise and wonderful to see how much they resemble each other.”
Mary also shared a photo featuring Border Collies Grace and Coco, noting, “In the second photo, Grace is in front, and a curious Coco is behind. Sometimes, it can be hard to tell them apart.”
The Queen’s personal snapshots sparked a wave of affection from social media followers, with many expressing their love for their own pets. One comment read, “Thank you for the lovely pictures and for highlighting our beloved canine companions! Thank you, dear Queen Mary!” Another added, “It was clear in Gråsten how much Mary loves dogs. She even greeted them during their journey from the square to the castle,” while a third remarked, “How wonderful that you met Coco’s dad in Assens. Those dogs are so dear.”
Mary and Frederik welcomed Grace to their family in 2017, and in 2021, she is believed to have had a litter of puppies, with Coco among them.
The Danish royal palace previously shared a photo of Mary and Frederik’s twins, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, with the puppies to celebrate their 11th birthday in January 2022.
Additionally, after King Frederik’s annual Royal Run race in May, Coco and Grace were pictured wearing two of the family’s medals in a rare at-home photo.