Crown Princess Mary is more popular than her husband Frederik, polls show – as royal experts claim ‘affair’ rumors with Mexican socialite have damaged the new king’s image

Denmark’s new king and queen, who will take up their new roles in just a week, have the support of more than 80% of the Danish population, a poll has found.

A study conducted for Ritzau revealed that Crown Princess Mary enjoyed slightly more popularity among Danes than Crown Prince Frederik, as the royal family prepares to take the throne on January 14.

The poll asked to what extent Crown Princess Mary and Crown Prince Frederik are suitable to become Queen Mary I and King Frederik X, prior to the abdication of Queen Margrethe.

While 82 percent of people believe Frederick is suitable for the role of king, 86 percent believe Mary will make a good queen.

Danish royal commentator Kim Bach believes that while Frederik is popular, Mary’s slight edge over her husband is likely due to rumors of an affair that circulated after the soon-to-be king was spotted on a night out with a Mexican socialite in Madrid.

Genoveva Casanova was forced to deny what she called “malicious” rumors after photos emerged of herself with the crown prince in the Spanish capital, where Spanish magazine Lecturas reported they had dinner together and watched flamenco dancing until 1am.

Mary has remained tight-lipped about her husband’s dinner with the socialite, and the royal couple have made a number of public appearances together.

However, there is increasing speculation that Queen Margrethe’s decision to abdicate may have been an attempt to keep Frederik’s wife of 19 years aside.

Princess Mary, who will within days become the first Australian-born queen, has won over the Danish public with her dedication to royal duty and her command of the language.

She and Frederik have four children together, and their eldest son Christian will take over his father’s role as crown prince on January 14 when Margrethe steps down.

The relationship between Mary and Frederik is often called a ‘real fairy tale’.

Then Mary Donaldson, the Crown Princess, was 28 when she met her husband-to-be at the Slip Inn in Sydney 23 years ago.

Genoveva Casanova was forced to deny what she called “malicious” rumors after photos of herself with the crown prince surfaced in the Spanish capital, where Spanish magazine Lecturas reported they had dinner together and watched flamenco dancing until 1am.

A survey conducted for Ritzau found that Crown Princess Mary enjoyed slightly more popularity among Danes than Crown Prince Frederik, as the royal family prepares to take the throne on January 14.

After meeting in the pub, then 32-year-old Frederik – who was in Australia to support the Danish sailing team at the 2000 Olympics – asked Mary for her phone number and a romance blossomed.

‘The first time we met, we shook hands. I didn’t know he was the prince of Denmark. Half an hour later someone came up to me and said, ‘Do you know who these people are?’ Mary revealed in an interview about the meeting with the heir to the Danish throne.

They maintained a long-distance relationship for a year, with Frederik taking secret trips Down Under before Mary moved to Denmark in 2001 to study the Danish language at Studieskolen in Copenhagen.

In early 2003, Frederick’s mother, Queen Margrethe, publicly acknowledged the relationship and the couple announced their engagement at Amalienborg Castle later that year, on October 8.

Between raising her children and appearing at diplomatic events, Mary has worked tirelessly to prove her commitment to charity. Since her marriage to Frederik in 2004, she has become patron of more than 25 international organizations.

Her patrons include the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe and the United Nations Population Fund, where she supports their work to promote maternal health in more than 150 developing countries.

In 2007, the Princess launched The Mary Foundation, a charity aimed at eradicating domestic violence, bullying and loneliness.

Queen Margrethe announced that she will abdicate the throne on January 14 and pass it on to her son Crown Prince Frederik. In the photo: Her Majesty during her New Year’s speech, announcing her abdication

The decision means that Crown Prince Frederik will become king from January 14, while his wife Princess Mary will become queen. Pictured: Frederik and Mary at Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen in November

Between raising her children and appearing at diplomatic events, Mary (pictured with her husband) has worked tirelessly to prove her commitment to charity. Since her marriage to Frederik in 2004, she has become patron of more than 25 international organizations.

In a week, Crown Princess Mary will become Queen of Denmark, as Queen Margrethe formally abdicates the throne to Mary and her son, Crown Prince Frederik.

Margrethe confirmed the news in a shock announcement on New Year’s Eve after 52 years on the Danish throne.

She said: ‘I’ve decided this is the right time. 52 years after succeeding my beloved father, I will step down as Queen of Denmark.”

“I leave the throne to my son, Crown Prince Frederik.”