Terry Collins, Coast Community News

When the Harris family of Avoca Beach headed to Uluru for a long weekend recently, they little suspected the trip would involve a royal encounter.

For siblings Asha Harris, 11, and Owen Harris, 14, watching the sun set over the landmark on March 14 with parents Brooke and Robin was a magical experience.

And that experience became even more special when the Kincumber High School students met King Frederick and Queen Mary of Denmark.

“We were just looking at the sunset when we saw a convoy of white cars,” Asha said.

“The King and Queen went to some sort of news briefing and as they were coming back they came over to us,” Owen said.

Queen Mary shook the hand of both children and posed for a photograph with them.

“She asked my name and where I was from,” Asha said. “She knew Avoca and said it was a beautiful place.”

Owen said King Frederick didn’t stop to chat but quipped that his wife was the “star of the show”.

Seeing waterfalls over Uluru was another rare experience.
Photos: Coast Community News

Asha said she was thrilled and shocked by the chance encounter.

“I didn’t know what to do or say,” she said. “I told her I liked her hat – it was a beautiful Akubra – and she seemed quite pleased at the compliment.”

Owen was also “pretty excited”. “I have never met anyone that famous,” he said.

The children were interviewed by a Danish news crew on site and featured on the news in Denmark.

Queen Mary and King Frederick were on a six-day tour of Australia which also included visits to Canberra, Melbourne and Tasmania.

Queen Mary, who was born in Tasmania, met King Frederick (then a prince) in Sydney during the 2000 Olympic Games.

They were married in 2004 and they became the new King and Queen of Denmark in January 2024, following the abdication of Queen Margrethe II.

This was Queen Mary’s first visit to Australia since becoming Queen of Denmark.

Brooke Harris said the family had another bonus during their short stay.

“There had been heavy rain, so we were among a very small number of visitors to see Uluru with waterfalls,” she said.

Owen said the waterfalls were an amazing sight. “It was really beautiful – there were waterfalls over the entire rock,” he said.

“Our feet were getting wet but we didn’t mind – it was very rare and beautiful,” Asha said.

This article appeared in Coast Community News, 26 March 2026.