The Danish royal family has been sharing a kind of advent calendar on their Instagram account since the beginning of December: there was a special photo for December 23: together with their four children, Crown Prince Frederik (54) and Crown Princess Mary (50) sent Christmas greetings from Tasmania. "Merry Christmas from 'Down Under' where we celebrate Christmas in Tasmania," the caption read. "Here there are neither icy temperatures nor fir trees, but instead sun and summer."

The crown prince couple and the children Prince Christian (17) and Princess Isabella (15) as well as the twins Princess Josephine and Prince Vincent (11) can be seen in summery outfits and in front of a breathtaking backdrop.

It is the first time the family has visited the home of Crown Princess Mary in five years. The last official visit was almost ten years ago. In 2015 and 2017 she made private trips with her family, and in 2021 Mary flew alone to Tasmania to celebrate her 50th birthday.

The palace confirmed the private trip over Christmas at the end of November. An official statement said that Queen Margrethe (82) would spend the festival this year without her sons and their families. Prince Joachim (53) also traveled with his family. The monarch will therefore celebrate with her sister Princess Benedikte (78) and friends at Marselisborg Palace in Aarhus.