Queen Mary of Denmark and King Frederik wrapped up their official six-day Australian visit in Hobart on Thursday, greeting adoring crowds in afternoon sunshine.
The waterfront event was a mere 10km from Mary's childhood suburb, before a chance meeting with Frederik in her late 20s at a Sydney pub in 2000 put her on a path to royalty.
"Australians," she answered when asked about her favourite part of the tour.
Thursday started with a Welcome to Country at Government House, followed by an up-close-and-personal encounter with a lobster on a boat tour of kelp restoration areas.
There was a trip to ship builder Incat, which fittingly supplies electric ferries to Denmark, before a visit to often-controversial art gallery MONA.
Danish colours and flags lined Hobart's waterfront - Mary accepted flowers, notes and gave time to some of the youngest in the crowd.
People watched from balconies while others yelled out "welcome home Mary".
Sarah Brett, who attended with her three-year-old daughter and 10-month-old son, was one of the last to receive a hello.
"My daughter is obsessed with princesses. We don't get this much in Tasmania," she said.
Sarah and Jackson Train arrived about five hours early and, by chance, caught a glimpse of Mary after her morning boat trip.
"It was one of the most incredible moments of my life," Mr Train, who is half-Danish, said.
"We saw them arrive and get off on the dock ... they drove past. We were just standing there and I had my flag out.
"I kid you not, they were waving just at us."
It is the Danish royals' first official visit to Tasmania in more than two decades and their first to Australia since ascending the throne in 2024.
They managed to fit in a quick drive past Taroona High School, with Mary quipping she had "some good memories" about where she was educated.
Zelah Dutta-Nielsen, a Tasmanian who also married a Danish man, was another to arrive early with Danish chocolate and a sign.
"There are some similarities between Denmark and Australia," she said.
"They're very laid back (people) and their sense of humour is quite hilarious."
Born Mary Donaldson, the queen's link to the island state is deep and enduring, a point Premier Jeremy Rockliff made before the visit.
"This is a significant national event and it's fitting for Tasmanians to be able to welcome Queen Mary home in person," he said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who joined the entourage at Incat, described Mary as an icon.
The tour, which included stops in Victoria and at Uluru, was aimed at deepening trade ties between Queen Mary's adopted and home nations, with a focus on a shared and green future.
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