Think Twice Before Stopping To Take A Photo On A Las Vegas Strip Pedestrian Bridge, Or Risk Jail Time

Standing or stopping is now banned on pedestrian bridges on the Las Vegas Strip where visitors often pause to take photos amid the glittery casino lights or to watch street performers.

Violators of the ordinance that took effect Tuesday could face up to six months in jail or a $1,000 fine.

Clark County commissioners voted unanimously this month to approve the measure prohibiting people from “stopping, standing or engaging in an activity that causes another person to stop” on Strip pedestrian bridges. That also includes up to 20 feet (6 meters) surrounding connected stairs, elevators and escalators.

The ban doesn’t include standing or stopping if a person is waiting to use an elevator, stairway or escalator.

Clark County said in a statement that its “pedestrian flow zone ordinance” isn’t meant to target street performers or people who stop to take pictures, but rather to increase public safety by ensuring a continuous flow of pedestrian traffic across the bridges.

The measure “will help to ensure our world-class tourism destination remains a safe place for people to visit and transverse,” the statement said.

But opponents say that the ban violates rights protected by the First Amendment.

“That might mean the right to protest. That might mean someone who’s sharing expressions of their faith. That might mean a street performer,” Athar Haseebullah, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada, said. Those rights, he said, are “protected at their highest level” in public spaces, including pedestrian bridges.

The county said it planned to install signs on the Strip identifying locations where stopping or standing is prohibited.

AP

Travelore News: The JetBlue-Spirit Airlines Merger Was Blocked By A Federal Judge. Here’s What You Need To Know

The prospect of a JetBlue-Spirit Airlines merger took a major hit in court on Tuesday when a federal judge sided with the Biden administration and blocked the $3.8 billion deal.

The judge ruled that JetBlue’s purchase of Spirit, the nation’s largest low-cost airline, would harm competition — and increase prices for air travelers as a result. Meanwhile, JetBlue has maintained that it needs such a deal to compete with industry rivals.

Here’s a rundown of what you need to know.

WHY WAS THE JETBLUE-SPIRIT MERGER BLOCKED?

It boils down to competition concerns. The Justice Department and several state attorneys general sued to block the merger last year — arguing that it would drive up fares by eliminating low-cost Spirit. U.S. District Judge William Young agreed.

Young, who was nominated for the federal bench by President Ronald Reagan, ruled that the merger would harm competition and violate antitrust law.

“There are no ‘bad guys’ in this case,” the Boston-based judge wrote. “The two corporations are — as they are expected to — seeking to maximize shareholder value. The Department of Justice is — as the law requires — speaking for consumers who otherwise would have no voice.”

WHAT’S NEXT?

With no merger in sight, the status quo for both JetBlue and Spirit remains — meaning air travelers shouldn’t expect major changes anytime soon.

But JetBlue and Spirit said they disagreed with the ruling and are considering whether to appeal. JetBlue, the nation’s sixth-largest airline by revenue, argued that it needs the deal to better compete with larger rivals.

The ruling could also open the door for Frontier Airlines to make another attempt to buy Florida-based Spirit. The two budget airlines announced a cash-and-stock deal back in 2022, but JetBlue made an all-cash offer and won the bidding war.

WHAT’S THE REGULATORY OUTLOOK FOR MERGERS LIKE THESE?

Tuesday’s ruling was a victory for the Biden administration, which has moved aggressively to block mergers across several industries — including health care, video gaming and publishing — arguing that such consolidation hurts consumers.

Attorney General Merrick Garland said Tuesday that the Justice Department will “continue to vigorously enforce the nation’s antitrust laws to protect American consumers.”

The administration’s court victory could make it more likely that it will challenge Alaska Airlines’ proposal to buy Hawaiian Airlines.

In the past, the Justice Department has faced criticism for greenlighting a wave of mergers. Within air travel, previous administrations allowed a series of deals that consolidated the industry to the point where four carriers — American, Delta, United and Southwest — control about 80% of the domestic market.

HOW DID THE STOCKS OF JETBLUE AND SPIRIT REACT?

Spirit shares plunged 47% Tuesday. JetBlue’s stock gained 5%.

BY WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILIPS

Queen Mary, Once A Sinking White Elephant, Shows Signs Of Remarkable Revival

The Queen Mary has for years been a landmark in the city of Long Beach, an iconic ocean liner serving as a majestic sentry at the port and a popular attraction for both tourists and locals.

But the aging ship has in recent years become more of a white elephant, in need of millions of dollars in repairs just to stay afloat.

Years of mounting financial woes, a pandemic shutdown and the need for an overhaul made for an uncertain future for the Queen Mary. Financial audits showed the ship was running a deficit, and at least one report warned that it was at risk of sinking if it didn’t get that crucial repair work.

But now, the 90-year-old ship seems to be headed for smoother sailing, with financial records showing it is finally turning a profit for the city of Long Beach.

On the ocean liner that has been turned into a hotel and tourist attraction, rooms are being booked, visitors are touring the ship, and the Queen Mary’s operator said the number of visitors had been outpacing the figures from before the COVID pandemic, signaling a new, hopefully better, era for the famous ship docked in the Long Beach harbor.

But the recent financial turnaround will do little in the short term to address the extensive repairs needed to keep the ship afloat and open to the public.

The Queen Mary closed for more than three years because of the pandemic, and stayed closed due to those much-needed repairs. But once the ship reopened in April — this time under the city’s direction instead of a leaseholder — visitors began to return in greater numbers. Although the ship still needs significant mending, new paint, new floors and other work to keep the ship safe for visitors was completed. The ship has about 200 rooms and several large halls that can be booked for weddings and other gatherings.

“Even though it’s been here since 1967, it was kind of a relaunch — a new Queen Mary if you will,” said Steve Caloca, managing director of the ship under the contracted operator, Evolution.

It was a slow reopening, with just over a dozen rooms booked in the Queen Mary in all of April. But financial records obtained by The Times show the number of bookings quickly multiplied in the following weeks.

By July, more than 4,300 room nights were booked in the Queen Mary, and the ship’s operator has seen at least 3,730 bookings a month since.

“We reopened after a 3½-year hiatus, which is nice, and we’re making money, which is nice,” Caloca said.

The Queen Mary was still operating in a deficit during the first two months it reopened, according to financial information provided by the city. By June, however, the ship’s revenue had begun to outpace its expenses.

According to city records, between June and October of last year, the ship generated more than $12.6 million in revenue and more than $3 million in profits.

It’s not just rooms in the ship’s hotel that are bringing in visitors and their cash, Caloca said.

“We were getting the word out that there are things to do here,” he said. “It’s not just a beautiful ship.”

The Queen Mary began to offer old and new tours of the 1,019.5-foot ship, and hosting events to draw in locals, such as $10 entry fees on Tuesdays, he said.

A game room and revamped observation bar are available for overnight and day guests, and the ship also rolled out the commodore’s office, where officers are available to answer guests’ questions about the ship.

“We asked, what can guests do now that they’re staying at the Queen Mary; what kind of content can we provide?” Caloca said. “We’re able to create things for people to do here in Long Beach.”

For the city, it means the Queen Mary has generated more revenue in the last few months than it did for an entire year before the pandemic shut it down.

“Because of these new investments and amenities, we witnessed more visitors within six months of opening than we did in a full year prior to the pandemic, and I’m proud to share that the Queen’s profits in 2023 finished strong by coming back into the black for the first time in years,’’ said Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson.

But the ship has also needed, and continues to need, repairs and maintenance, Caloca said.

Much of the work done on the ship has centered on keeping it safe for visitors, as well as regular upkeep like painting, new flooring and lighting, and replacing new boilers and electrical transformers on the ship.

For the Queen Mary, which has been in dire need of repairs and work for years, turning a profit in 2023 is a significant turnabout in its recent history.

Financial audits of the ship obtained by The Times show that from 2007 to 2019, the Queen Mary saw losses of more than $31 million.

A profit could mean the ship could get some much-needed TLC to keep it financially, and literally, afloat.

“When we get excited about the money, it’s not that we made a profit,” Caloca said. “It’s that we made money, but now we can put it back on the ship that we love so much.”

The city of Long Beach took over the Queen Mary in 2021 after worries that the aging ship was not being maintained. One 2017 study of the vessel found that it needed up to $289 million in upgrades and renovations, including work to keep parts of it from flooding.

Court documents and inspection reports also found that it needed $23 million to keep it from capsizing.

Making the ship a profit center for the city has been a challenge for several lease operators that have been hired to operate the ship over the last few decades — including the Walt Disney Co.

In 2005, Queen’s Seaport Development Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and was found by Long Beach to owe $3.4 million in back rent. In 2009, the hotel was also at about a 50% occupancy rate.

Now, the profits coming in can also be geared toward new activities and entertainment to keep attracting guests into the Queen Mary, Caloca said.

This summer, operators hope to reopen a movie theater at the ship, which can double as a lecture hall and host other events, Caloca said. Another 100 rooms are expected to open by April.

“It’s not just, ‘Let’s fix it so it doesn’t break,” Caloca said. “It’s also, ‘Let’s fix it and make it so people want to come.’”

BY SALVADOR HERNANDEZ, https://www.latimes.com/

Viking Announces First-Of-Their-Kind China Voyages

Viking® (www.viking.com) today announced three new, first-of-their-kind itineraries that will provide guests with exclusive access to China in 2024. The new voyages range from 10 to 20 days and explore iconic cities, such as Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong. Each itinerary also includes a domestic sailing of China's coast that highlights rarely-seen destinations and ports to which only Viking has access—something that has never before been offered for international visitors. The new voyages will operate from September to November on the Viking Yi Dun—formerly the Viking Sun—a sister ship featuring the same award-winning design and service as all other ocean ships in Viking's fleet. The Chinese-flagged Viking Yi Dun will be the first ship dedicated specifically to the foreign market to operate domestic sailings in China. Each voyage will offer The Viking Way® of exploration, with immersive experiences to introduce guests to the people, history and culture of China, including insightful lectures, Chinese-inspired cuisine and destination experts.

"We are proud that Viking will be the first to operate domestic sailings in China for international travelers. Our guests are curious travelers who are interested in experiences that broaden their mind—and China, with one of the richest cultures in the world, has been inspiring travelers for centuries," said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. "For more than 15 years, our Yangtze River voyages were among our highest-rated itineraries. We brought guests to China's Yangtze River, to Beijing, to the Great Wall, to the Terra Cotta Warriors and to many other iconic places in this captivating nation. We introduced the real China to our guests, and visiting local school children was always a particular highlight. Now, we are delighted to offer such encounters once again with new voyages to a destination that never ceases to capture the imagination."

New China Voyages

Wonders of China — 20 days; Beijing roundtrip — This comprehensive 20-day cruisetour itinerary delivers China's main highlights. Guests can meet a Tibetan family at their home, walk on the Great Wall and see the Terra Cotta Warriors. Additionally, guests experience the scenic coast of Dongtou and have opportunities to explore Gulangyu Island in Xiamen, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Shenzhen, a UNESCO city of design.

Classic China & the Coast — 15 days; Beijing, Xian – Hong Kong (Shenzhen) — This voyage combines the experiences of Viking's 10-day China Discovery voyage with opportunity to see the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Terra Cotta Warriors and other iconic landmarks. While sailing China's coastline, guests can experience a phenomenal diversity in languages, cultures and cuisines. China Discovery — 10 days; Shanghai – Hong Kong (Shenzhen) — This 10-day itinerary allows guests to experience the Buddhist shrines of Zhoushan and the cliffs of Dongtou, follow the steps of 19th-century European diplomats on Gulangyu Island in Xiamen, or try Cantonese dim sum in Shenzhen.

The Viking Yi Dun

Dedicated specifically to exploring destinations in China, with an onboard experience that complements guests' discoveries ashore, the Viking Yi Dun is a sister ship in Viking's award-winning ocean fleet. Classified by Cruise Critic as "small ships," Viking's ocean vessels have a gross tonnage of 47,800 tons, with 465 staterooms that host 930 guests; the ships feature all veranda staterooms, Scandinavian design, light-filled public spaces and abundant al fresco dining options.

Booking Details

From now through January 31, 2024, Viking is offering North American travelers the Discover More sale, with up to free international airfare, special fares and a $25 deposit—with additional savings for both new and returning guests—on all-inclusive river, ocean and expedition voyages, including the new coastal China itineraries. Space is limited for 2024 departures. Call Viking toll free at 1-855-8-VIKING (1-855-884-5464) or contact a travel advisor for details.

The Avalanche Risk Is High In Much Of The Western US. Here’s What You Need To Know To Stay Safe

As a massive winter storm dumped snow across much of the western U.S., some hardy winter sport enthusiasts headed to ski resorts and backcountry slopes despite frigid temperatures during the long Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend.

But in many areas, the storm brought a high risk of avalanche conditions along with the wind and snow, with fatal results.

In northern Idaho, two men were rescued after they were caught in an avalanche Thursday afternoon, while the body of a third man in their backcountry skiing group was located Friday. On Thursday night the occupants of two vehicles escaped without injury after an avalanche buried their cars in another part of the state.

The first reported U.S. avalanche death of the season happened Wednesday in California, on a section of expert trails at the Palisades Tahoe ski resort near Lake Tahoe. Four people were trapped and one was killed in that slide. A second avalanche struck the same area the following day, with no reported casualties.

Here’s a look at why, when and how avalanches occur, and some tips on how to stay safe from slides:br />
Why do avalanches occur?

It generally takes just two ingredients to create avalanche conditions: A slope of 30 degrees or more, and layers of snow.
safety
“Avalanches are really tied into having layers within the snowpack, and those layers are caused by weather conditions,” said Ben Bernall, an avalanche forecaster with the U.S. Forest Service Panhandle Avalanche Center. “It’s kind of like a cake: You might have a nice thick layer that’s good and cohesive, and then a thinner layer of frosting. Then put another cake on top of that, and throw in the factor of a slope angle or steep terrain.”

Extra pressure on top of that snowpack “cake,” from wind, rain, heavy snow or motion can cause some of the layers to shear off and slide down the slope, Bernall said.

Sometimes that slide happens in the form of loose snow, called a “sluff.” Sluffs account for only a small percentage of deaths and property damage from avalanches, according to the Sierra Avalanche Center.

But many avalanches are made up of slabs, where a large layer of snow breaks away and slides down the mountainside. Those account for most fatalities.

Another kind of avalanche occurs when wind creates a cornice of snow that hangs over a ridge or the edge of a steep slope. An overhanging mass of snow can fall suddenly, catching anyone standing underneath or on top of the cornice by surprise, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.

What triggers an avalanche?

Movement, rapidly changing weather, wind — any one of these things can cause an avalanche. But experts say 90% of the avalanches that cause injuries or deaths are triggered by the victim or someone with them.

That means that people who ski, snowmobile, snowshoe or enjoy other activities in the snowy backcountry should check the avalanche forecast before they head out, and make sure they have the right safety gear.

Most ski resorts have avalanche protocols or mitigation systems. Often that means checking snowpack stability. Avalanche experts and ski resorts also sometimes use remote detonations to trigger slides manually, removing the riskier layers of snow, before skiers are allowed on the slopes.

What doesn’t trigger an avalanche?

Loud noises, generally. Despite what cartoons and movies might have you believe, the sound waves created by someone yelling aren’t enough to trigger an avalanche, according to the Sierra Avalanche Center.

In particularly unstable snow conditions, however, an extremely loud noise, such as from a nearby explosion, could do the trick.

How common are avalanches?

An average of about 28 people die in avalanches every year in the U.S. according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Last winter, 30 people died in avalanches in the United States. They all were skiers, snowboarders, snowmobilers, snowshoers, climbers or hikers.

Last February, three members of a mountain climbing club from New York perished in an avalanche on a remote peak in the Cascade Mountains of Washington state.

Three climbers in Alaska’s Denali National Park died in May in two separate incidents on the same day. One triggered an avalanche while skiing in the park’s backcountry. Two others were swept away as they prepared to climb a peak known as Moose’s Tooth. Their bodies were never found.

Where do most avalanches occur?
The vast majority of avalanche deaths occur in the wilderness. They’re rare at ski resorts where crews manage the slopes and trigger smaller slides on purpose when no one is around.

“In the last 10 years, there have been 244 people killed in avalanches in the U.S. and only 3% of those were in open, operating areas of ski resorts,” said Ethan Greene, director of the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. But he said it’s impossible to eliminate them.

“We are dealing with Mother Nature. We are dealing with a natural hazard in very complex systems in mountain environments. We can’t remove the risk completely.”

How can someone avoid an avalanche?

There are several ways to avoid an avalanche, but running isn’t one of them. Dry slab avalanches typically reach speeds up to 80 mph (129 kph) within seconds, according to the Sierra Avalanche Center. Wet avalanches usually travel around 20 mph (32 kph).

By comparison, eight-time Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt set a record of just under 28 mph (45 kph) in the 100-meter dash in 2009 — and that was on a flat track, not a snow-covered slope. Most people caught in avalanches are on the slope when they occur.

A better plan is avoiding them altogether. Recreationists can check forecasts at regional avalanche centers or www.avalanche.org.

If you dare venture out, it’s a good idea to use the buddy system and be versed in wilderness first aid. Bernall said three pieces of gear are essential: an avalanche beacon or transceiver, which sends location signals to others; a shovel to test snowpack or dig out companions; and a thin, folding pole to poke into the snow in search of anyone buried.

Boise County Sheriff Scott Turner said the best bet this weekend in the backcountry of central Idaho is to stay on lower elevations and away from steep slopes.

“People have been waiting for the snow to recreate,” he said, “but the snow conditions right now aren’t good.”

What if you get caught in an avalanche? As fast as you can, try to cover/cup your mouth and nose with your hands. If your arms are extended when you’re buried, you won’t be able to move them.

The cupped hands provide a tiny air pocket. And your breath is warm when you blow out (try it), so it can help melt the snow. If you’re lucky, you might be able to wiggle a finger or two to slowly dig through otherwise cement-like snow for space with more air to breathe, and eventually lead to an escape.

BY REBECCA BOONE

NASA Reveals Supersonic Plane That'll Be As Loud As A Closing Car Door

On January 12, NASA pulled the wraps off the X-59, an experimental aircraft that may very well change the shape of aviation in the decades to come. It's the culmination of almost six years of hard work, but also the start of a journey that may once again make civilian supersonic travel.

NASA calls the moment a "historic milestone in aviation history," and for good reason. If successful, it may put an end to a decade-old ban on the flight of certain kinds of aircraft over land. About half a century ago (in 1973), at a time when supersonic aircraft were beginning to get a hold on military operations, but also on civilian travel, American regulators restricted the speed at which these machines could fly over populated areas to subsonic speeds. The reason for that? The noise they generated when traveling really fast (actually, when crossing the sound barrier) was too much to bear for the people on the ground.

Not even the Concorde, the world's first and only civilian supersonic aircraft, managed to work around that ban. The X-59 might change that, provided humans get a taste of supersonic travel once more.

The experimental plane's secret lies in its design. You see, in today's aircraft the sonic boom is generated because the hardware, as it moves through the air, creates a series of pressure waves in front of and behind it.

At such high speeds these pressure waves merge into one, and that in turn leads to a rise in pressure at the nose of the plane. Once the plane pushes through the wave, a sudden return to normal pressure follows.

This creates a sonic boom, which, when it comes to an F-16 flying at an altitude of over 8,000 meters (26,200 feet), for instance, translates into a massive 78 dB.

The weird shape of the X-59, revealed in full on Friday, is meant to help with that. In a nutshell, the plane is shaped in such a way that it separates the shocks and expansions associated with supersonic flight.

This in turn should bring down the noise levels of the plane going supersonic to about 60 dB. If you don't know how much that is, NASA tells us it's about as loud as the volume of an average conversation with a friend. Or, if you want to think about it in some other way, the thing will be about as loud as the noise of a car door closing.

After the reveal at the end of the week, the aircraft will enter a series of ground tests, culminating at the end of the year with the first actual flight. Once that is out of the way, NASA plans to fly the plane over populated areas.

The goal of the plane and of the project it is part of (which is called Quiet SuperSonic Technology, or QueSST) is to determine exactly how loud such a design is in flight, but most importantly how loud is it perceived by the people on the ground.

Once it gathers all the relevant data, NASA will share it with American regulators, in a bid to make them rethink their policies.

The plane itself is not a prototype of some series-production aircraft, but data on how it was built and what makes it tick will be shared with the aviation industry in the hopes that, one day, someone will come up with a new aircraft that can move people at supersonic speeds.

By: Daniel Patrascu

Travelore News: Who Is Crown Prince Frederik, Denmark’s Soon-To-Be King?

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — As a teenager, Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik felt uncomfortable being in the spotlight and wondered whether there was any way he could avoid becoming king.

Such doubts have been swept aside as the 55-year-old takes over the crown on Sunday from his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who is breaking with centuries of Danish royal tradition and retiring after a 52-year reign. The crown prince will become King Frederik X.

An athlete, decorated military officer and rock music fan, Frederik has a more informal style than his mother but is equally popular in the Scandinavian country.

Margrethe stunned the nation when she announced during her traditional New Year’s Eve speech that she would step down, citing health reasons. A royal palace spokeswoman told the Berlingske newspaper that the queen informed her sons about her decision only three days before the announcement.

The crown prince, whose full name is Frederik André Henrik Christian, was born on May 26, 1968, as the first child of Margrethe and her husband, Prince Henrik, who died in 2018. His younger brother, Prince Joachim, was born in 1969.

Shy and reserved as a child, Frederik felt uneasy about the idea of ascending the throne, and the intense attention and scrutiny that come with it. In a 1996 interview with Berlingske Tidende, the crown prince said that in his teens he sometimes wondered whether he could escape his fate.

“I thought it was too uncomfortable,” Frederik said. “You knew you were going to be so public, so known, so accessible to everyone and so depicted. I didn’t like that.”

As an adult he grew more comfortable with his position as heir to the throne and prepared himself for it. Frederik, who in addition to Danish speaks English, French and German, graduated from Aarhus University with a master’s degree in political science. His studies included two semesters at Harvard University.

He received military training in several branches of Denmark’s armed forces including as a frogman in an elite naval unit. Frederik got the nickname “Pingo” because of an episode when his wetsuit was filled with water and he waddled like a penguin, he said in a 2010 interview with Danish public broadcaster DR.

He learned about diplomacy during postings at the Danish Embassy in Paris and at Denmark’s United Nations mission in New York. Like Britain’s King Charles III, he has shown a special interest in climate change and other environmental issues.

Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary wave from the tugboat “Svitzer Marysville” during its naming ceremony in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Nov 24, 2011. (Scott Barbour, Pool Photo via AP, File)

At home in Denmark, Frederik is known for being informal and down-to-earth. While he attends official functions in medal-studded uniforms, he can occasionally be spotted blending in with the crowds riding a bicycle with his bodyguards in tow or high-fiving teenagers.

A keen sportsman, Frederik has participated in six marathons, one Ironman triathlon and a dog-sled expedition in northern Greenland. For several years he was Denmark’s member of the International Olympic Committee.

Some Danes feel so comfortable around the crown prince they address him without his royal title.

Lars Hovbakke Sørensen, a historian and expert on the Danish royal house, said Frederik has a more contemporary style than his mother, effortlessly engaging in casual conversation with regular people, though he is less astute than the queen in delivering formal speeches.

While Margrethe is known for her appreciation of classical music, ballet and art, Frederik is more into rock music and sports, and younger generations find him relatable, Hovbakke Sørensen said.

“People expect the monarchs to be more informal, to be more like themselves. They don’t want this very large distance to the royal persons as we have seen before,” he said.

Laura Larsen, a 27-year-old social housing employee in Copenhagen, said she believes Danes will like the new king.

“He is going to be quite a relaxed king compared to our current monarch, compared to what we’re seeing,” she said.

Like many of his contemporaries in Europe’s royal houses, Frederik found his spouse outside the aristocracy. He met Australian-born Mary Donaldson, the daughter of Scottish immigrants, in a bar during the Sydney Olympics in 2000. They married four years later.

The couple have four children: Prince Christian, 18; Princess Isabella, 16; and 13-year-old twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine.

Once Margrethe has abdicated, Christian will take over the title of crown prince and become first in line to succeed his father.

Mary will become queen of Denmark. Her unlikely journey from the island of Tasmania to become the world’s first Australian-born queen on the other side of the world has captivated Danes and Australians alike.

At a Jan. 3 reception for foreign diplomats in Copenhagen, Australia’s ambassador to Denmark, Kerin Ann Burns Ayyalaraju, said Australians are “incredibly proud” of Mary, who often has been described in magazines as a fashion icon.

“It is incredible to see how she has become such a significant part of Danish society,” the ambassador said.

When Frederik turned 50, Mary praised her husband in a witty and romantic speech in fluent Danish.

“You have always pushed the boundaries, and you have insisted on shaping the world around you to fit the person and have not allowed the structures in that world to define you,” Mary said.

BY JAN M. OLSEN. Associated Press reporter Anders Garde Kongshaug contributed to this report.