IT WAS 10 years ago that Tasmanian born Mary Donaldson showed the world that fairytales do come true - but for her cousins, it feels like yesterday.
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Jacqueline Mary Johncock, formerly Donaldson, flew to Copenhagen in May 2004, along with 32 Tasmanian relatives to meet their new Denmark family and watch their "little cousin" get married.
Thousands of people from around the world, including royalty from every monarchy in Europe, prime ministers and president, nobles and diplomats flew to the country to see the commoner marry Crown Prince Frederik, the heir to Denmark's 1000-year-old throne.
Mrs Johncock said it was one of the most amazing experiences she has had.
"Words can't even explain it," she said yesterday, recalling the May 14 wedding.
"It was amazing meeting all the different royalty around the world and I sat opposite Princess Caroline [of Monaco] when we were having our meals."
Mrs Johncock said her and her cousins thought it was fitting that Mary became a princess.
"She used to love to dress up in her mum's clothes and she loved to wear pearls and things and we called her princess because she was the little one of the family."
Mary spent her school years at Waimea Heights Primary and Taroona High School before going on to Hobart Matriculation College and studying commerce and law at the University of Tasmania.
Crown Prince Frederik and Princess Mary met in a Sydney bar, during the Olympics in 2000 and the rest as they say, is history.
Mrs Johncock said the family had remained close.
"We do speak to her and keep in touch and she's no different today than the day she got married," Mrs Johncock said.
"She loves it there and couldn't be happier.
"And Frederik's just amazing ... he loves her dearly. They have a very good relationship."
The couple have four children; Prince Christian, Prince Vincent, Princess Josephine and Princess Isabella.