Sydney in the year 2000 was an unlikely setting for a modern-day fairytale.
A beautiful young woman meets a handsome prince, and they live happily ever after.
Of course, there were no carriages or castles.
This was a distinctly 21st century romance:
Meeting amid the lights of a big city.
Exchanging thoughts by email.
And flying back and forth in jumbo jets.
In any case, fairy tales exist only in story books.
Because royalty in these democratic times means hard work.
The choice made by Mary Donaldson - like that of her contemporary Catherine Middleton - was bold and perceptive.
You knew that in marrying an heir to the throne, you had embarked on a journey of service.
A journey that would last your whole life.
As Australians, we know this from the life of our own Queen, as Danes do from yours.
It is a commitment to duty and leadership.
A commitment that has brought you here among us today.
And so I welcome Your Royal Highnesses as representatives of the Danish nation.
A nation known throughout the world for its values and humanitarian commitment.
A nation that leads the world in policies so crucial for our times like clean energy, urban development and food security.
Concerns you have come to explore with a receptive partner in dialogue this week.
Indeed, I welcome Denmark's commitment to reduce carbon emissions through a carbon price by 40 percent by 2020 and boost the share of renewable to 50 percent of energy consumption.
I know that as Australia undertakes its journey towards a low carbon future, we have a great partner in Denmark.
We are strengthened by your example and your expertise.
It is a partnership that extends beyond governments to the private sector.
And I am delighted that Crown Prince Frederick will journey on Friday to Macarthur in Western Victoria where Danish company Vestas and Australia's Leighton Holdings are building a wind farm, the biggest in the Southern Hemisphere, and another down-payment on our obligation to protect this planet for future generations and build the jobs and industries of tomorrow.
But friends, This could never simply be an official visit based on policy discussions, however worthy they may be.
It is a homecoming.
A return.
A return to the place that will always, with Denmark, be high in your loyalty and love.
For Crown Princess Mary, I know you want your own children to know something of the places that shaped your own upbringing and circumstances.
For Crown Prince Frederick, I know you seek to deepen your understanding of this land which has so unexpectedly become a part of your own life story.
For both of you, and for your children, Australia will always be your other home.
Where you will always feel that sense of warmth and comfort so aptly described in Danish culture as hygge.
Where family and friends await you.
Where formality is never required.
Where our door is always open and you never need to knock.
We are indeed delighted to have you as guests - so uniquely connected as you are to this land and its people.
You Royal Highnesses are welcome.
Honoured.
And very much at home.