Queen Mary of Denmark looked carefree on Wednesday as she frolicked in the sea in Sydney – notably without her husband King Frederik. The royal, 52, appeared the epitome of relaxation as she took a paddle in the sea before sunbathing and catching up her pals on the shore. She was spotted splashing around, giving her pals on the shore a thumbs-up, before laying on her back in the water.  The Australian-born monarch looked stunning in a coral swimsuit, and wore her brunette locks up in a messy bun, showing her blissfully carefree state of mind. The visit comes on the anniversary of King Frederik’s ‘private visit’ to Madrid, where he was pictured on a night out with Mexican socialite Genoveva Casanova.  Queen Mary of Denmark looked carefree on Wednesday as she frolicked in the sea in Sydney with a pal The royal, 52, appeared the epitome of relaxation as she paddled in the sea, notably without her husband King FrederikThe 56-year-old monarch, who was then titled the Crown Prince of Denmark, was spotted strolling through the city with the glamorous TV personality, 47, on October 25, 2023.Following the outing, in which he visited Genoveva’s apartment and stayed there for two hours, the royal couple were plagued with speculation of marital struggles – despite the socialite strenuously denying the affair ‘rumours and insinuations’.Experts have since claimed the controversy will ‘never be forgotten’ – but it appears Mary would rather focus her energy elsewhere by enjoying a break in her home country. It’s unclear if the rest of her family have joined the radiant royal for her trip Down Under, however Frederik was pictured opening a University of Copenhagen building in the Danish capital yesterday, according to the Royal Family’s Instagram page.The Tasmanian-born beauty’s last private holiday to Australia was in December 2023, a month before she became Queen and just weeks after Frederik’s night out. She was pictured emotionally saying goodbye to her loved ones following the trip home.But this year she appears to be visiting earlier than the festive season, and seemingly without her husband. She was spotted splashing around, giving her pals on the shore a thumbs-up The Australian-born monarch looked stunning in a coral swimsuit, and wore her brunette locks up in a messy bun The trip comes amid the year anniversary of her husband’s affair rumours – but they have put on multiple united displays since The royal looked relaxed as she caught up with a friend, enjoying spending time in her company Mary went for a swim and lay back in the water during her afternoon in the sun She was clearly having the time of her life, laughing and joking with her friends The 52-year-old royal showed off her incredible figure as she changed into a swimsuit She took to the shore for a spot of sunbathing, while catching up with friendsThe Queen had locals doing a double take on Wednesday when she was spotted flaunting her athletic frame at Bronte Beach.Enjoying the picturesque scenery with her daughter, Mary went incognito in all-black casual athleisure wear, including a long-sleeved shirt and shorts, teamed with sunglasses and a navy cap.She made the most of the seaside as she jogged through the sand with a friend before embarking on the Bronte to Bondi walk, and taking in Sculptures by the Sea, Australia’s largest annual outdoor sculpture exhibition.When the temperatures became too hot, the Queen pulled off her shirt to reveal a tank top underneath, and pulled her brunette tresses back into a ponytail.Queen Mary last visited Australia in December with her youngest children, twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, both 13, to spend Christmas with her family.  The 56-year-old monarch, who was then titled the Crown Prince of Denmark, was spotted strolling through the city with the glamorous TV personality (pictured), 47, on October 25, 2023 It’s unclear if the rest of her family have joined the radiant royal for her trip Down Under, however Frederik was pictured opening a University of Copenhagen building in the Danish capital yesterday, according to the Royal Family ‘s Instagram page (pictured) After the Madrid scandal, Frederik and Mary, who have been married for 20 years, began to display what looked like frosty body language towards each other in public appearances (pictured in November 2023)While the trip was a personal one, with the Queen keeping a low profile without her husband present, the monarch had an official royal engagement in Australia just months earlier. She visited Sydney for a day in late April 2023 to ‘participate in an event with Danish business representatives involved in the green transition in Australia, as well as visit a number of Danish-clad projects related to sustainable construction and transport’.Queen Mary’s trip Down Under comes one year after her marriage to King Frederik was plagued with rumours of marital struggles after he was pictured out in Madrid with Mexican socialite Genoveva Casanova. During a ‘private visit’ to Madrid, the King, who was then the Crown Prince of Denmark, was seen strolling through the city with the TV personality.While wife Mary was away on royal business in New York, the King attended a Pablo Picasso exhibit with Genoveva before sharing a private dinner at a traditional Flamenco restaurant until the early hours, as reported by a Spanish publication. After visiting the exhibition, Lecturas claimed both Frederik and Genoveva went to her apartment building separately at around 7pm, and both re-emerged at around 9pm, two hours later, both having changed their clothes into evening wear.In the photos, Genoveva had ditched her chic camel coat with a tie belt in favour of a white shirt, black wide-leg trousers and a black jacket worn on her shoulders.Meanwhile Frederik appeared to have changed from a navy jacket and brown trousers into a white shirt and dark trousers with a smart dark jacket. Again, they were reported to have emerged from the building separately, but got into the same white car.The magazine claimed the pair watched a flamenco performance at a Spanish restaurant, El Corral de la Moreria, which finished at midnight.It also claimed they remained at their table, which had been flanked by two of the Danish royal’s bodyguards, while other customers left, waiters finished up their shifts and the lights were being switched off.Lecturas claimed the pair did not emerge from the restaurant until 1am, when they walked out onto the street and got in a car. Only months after the couple were thrust into the limelight following Frederik’s visit to Spain, they became the King and Queen of Denmark. Pictured, the royal couple at a state banquet in November 2023 Married for 20 years and proud parents to four children (pictured together), the famously down-to-earth royals are adored by millionsIn a ‘gesture of courtesy’, Lecturas reports Prince Frederik opened the car door for his dinner companion.  TIMELINE OF FREDERIK’S NIGHT IN MADRID, ACCORDING TO LECTURAS MAGAZINE The magazine claimed the following timeline of events took place.October 25, afternoon: Frederik and Genoveva walk around El Retiro Park7pm: Frederik and Genoveva go to her apartment separately 9pm: They emerge from the building separately, having changed clothes, and get into the same white car9pm-12am: Pair travel to El Corral de la Moreria restaurant for dinner and to watch flamenco1am: The pair leave the restaurant and get into a car8.30am: Frederik leaves Genoveva’s apartment  The next day, the magazine claims the Danish royal was taken to the airport via car where he flew home to Denmark.Following the publication of the photos, Genoveva, who is the former daughter-in-law of the billionaire Duchess of Alba, issued a furious denial that there was any romantic relationship between herself and the Danish royal.A statement from the socialite said: ‘I categorically deny the statements that suggest a romantic relationship between Prince Frederik and me.’She added: ‘Any statement of this type not only completely lacks the truth but also misrepresents the facts in a malicious manner.’This is already in the hands of my lawyers, who will take care of the pertinent steps to protect my right to honour, truth and privacy.’After the photos emerged, those in the know claimed Genoveva and Frederik were good friends who ‘meet several times a year,’.’They have a friendship. They know each other and have friends in common. They usually meet several times a year,’ Susanna Griso, who presents Spanish TV show Espejo Público, claimed.Griso alleged Genoveva had become close to the royal after they met on a high end mountain hunting trip.The presenter explained: ‘These are exclusive meetings, where you have to pay a lot of money to attend. All of the royals and children of the major families are there. The trips are organised mostly in Germany and Austria.’On trips of this kind, usually in mountainous regions, guests pay thousands of Euros to be able to hunt European big game animals like red deer, Alpine Ibex, wild boar and mouflon wild sheep. Divorcee Genoveva Casanova (pictured) – the former daughter-in-law of the billionaire Duchess of Alba – was pictured by a Spanish gossip magazine enjoying a night out with Frederik in Madrid in 2023 After the Madrid scandal, Frederik and Mary, who have been married for 20 years, began to display what looked like frosty body language towards each other in public appearances.But only months after the couple were thrust into the limelight following Frederik’s visit to Spain, they became the King and Queen of Denmark.Queen Margarethe, 84, made the shock decision to abdicate the throne on New Year’s Eve in 2023, allowing her son and his wife Mary to succeed her.Speculation soon began that the decision was made to keep Frederik’s wife of 19 years Princess Mary, who is extremely popular with the public, on side. Indeed, royal commentators told MailOnline in January 2024 that Margrethe ‘deliberately’ dropped a ‘massive bombshell’ at the right time to secure the future of the Danish Royal Family, and its ‘greatest asset’, Mary.British royal author Phil Dampier, also an expert on European monarchies, said: ‘I think Margrethe may have worried that their marriage was in trouble and therefore she had to act.’The Queen always thought Mary was a fantastic asset to the royal family and if she thought she might leave it would have been a disaster. She will now hope that Frederik and Mary patch up any differences and work together as the new King and Queen.’But this week, experts have warned that the ‘affair’ rumours will likely haunt King Frederik and Queen Mary for the rest of their lives.  Then: A fresh-faced Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark drapes his arm around Tasmanian advertising executive Mary Donaldson in a photo believed to be taken shortly after their first meeting in 2000 Frederik and Mary married on May 14, 2004 at Copenhagen Cathedral, with the newly minted Crown Princess opting for a beautiful gown by Danish designer Uffer Frank and a veil first used by Crown Princess Margaret of Sweden in 1905’It was a huge case, and in principle it will never be forgotten either. It will lie lurking just below the surface for many years,’ communications expert Anna Thygesen told Danish tabloid B.T. ‘It doesn’t take much for it to flare up again.’Historian Lars Hovbakke agreed and explained the only way to kill the story was to be open about what happened that night in Madrid.’But the Royal House has since the beginning clearly said that it was a private matter, which they are not obliged to inform about, and they are not visibly changing their position,’ he said.Both experts added that the first year following a scandal is often the most difficult and things should get easier for the royal couple.It’s unclear where exactly King Frederik was on Wednesday as the Queen jetted to Australia.However, the pair were spotted together just last week as they visited German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and First Lady Elke Büdenbender in Berlin. The royal couple first met at The Slip Inn during the 2000 Summer Olympics, with it previously reported Mary supposedly had no idea the handsome European tourist she had been chatting to for hours was actually the future king of Denmark.’The first time we met we shook hands. I didn’t know he was the Prince of Denmark. Queen Margarethe (right) abdicated the throne on New Year’s Eve in 2023, allowing her son Frederik and his wife Mary to succeed her Her Majesty during her New Year’s speech, in which she announced her abdication’Half an hour later someone came up to me and said, “Do you know who these people are”?’ Mary revealed in an interview about meeting the heir to the Danish throne.They maintained a long-distance relationship for a year, with Frederik making secret trips Down Under before Mary moved to Denmark to study Danish language at Copenhagen’s Studieskolen in 2001.In early 2003, Frederik’s mother Queen Margrethe publicly acknowledged the relationship and the couple announced their engagement at Amalienborg Castle later that year on October 8.Frederik and Mary married on May 14, 2004 at Copenhagen Cathedral, with the newly minted Crown Princess opting for a beautiful gown by Danish designer Uffer Frank and a veil first used by Crown Princess Margaret of Sweden in 1905.In a nod to her heritage, Mary carried a bouquet of Australian snow gum eucalyptus interspersed with blooms from the Palace garden.At the altar, Frederik announced: ‘From today, Mary is mine and I am hers. I love her, and I will protect her with all my love.’Their first child, Prince Christian Valdemar Henri John, was born October 15, 2005; Princess Isabella Henrietta Ingrid Margrethe followed on April 21, 2007.Almost four years later Mary and Frederik welcomed twins, Princess Josephine Sophia Ivalo Mathilda and Prince Vincent Frederik Minik Alexander at the Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen on January 8, 2011.Gossip magazines in both Denmark and Australia have published speculation about the state of the royal couple’s marriage over the years, but there is nothing concrete to suggest they are anything but happily married.