Shocking moment Queen Mary is struck by electric scooter
Concerns over the safety of the Danish royal family have been raised after a video surfaced showing Queen Mary being struck by a scooter during a visit to Greenland last month.
The footage, released by Danish tabloid Ekstra Bladet, depicts the incident in which Queen Mary, wife of King Frederik X, is seen greeting fans before being struck. Onlookers quickly surrounded the scene in shock.
The 52-year-old monarch, who has four children, was visibly distressed as she fell but managed to maintain her composure after getting back on her feet. Her security team promptly intervened, halting the scooter's movement. The driver, an elderly man, appeared more shaken than the Queen and stated that he "did not know what happened", explaining that he had intended to extend his arm towards the Queen but accidentally accelerated instead.
This incident has prompted widespread debate over the adequacy of security measures for the Danish monarchy. Royal expert Kenth G. Madsen, in an interview with FEMAIL, called for enhanced security protocols during public appearances by royalty and political figures. Madsen cited a recent incident involving Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who was assaulted by a drunk man in Copenhagen.
"Threat assessments must be updated regularly to reflect the current security situation," Madsen said. He called for increased surveillance, a larger security presence, the establishment of safe zones around public events, and improved crisis response plans. He also stressed the importance of clear communication between security units.
Ekstra Bladet's royal commentator, Kim Bach, criticised Denmark's national security and intelligence service, PET, for allowing a vehicle to get so close to the Queen. "It's strange that they are not more vigilant, just because they are in Greenland," Bach remarked, highlighting the perceived laxity in security measures.
Queen Mary was reportedly shaken by the incident, which occurred near her youngest children, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine. King Frederik was also in the vicinity, greeting fans when the accident happened. The palace confirmed that Queen Mary was not injured and continued with her scheduled events.
Eyewitnesses described the shock of the crowd following the incident. One spectator told The Australian, "I could see how much it hurt her; her eyes watered immediately. It must hurt to be hit at that speed."
While both police and palace security concluded that the incident was an innocent mistake, fans and observers have expressed concerns about the Queen's safety. Comments on social media questioned why a motorised scooter – even a mobility one such as this – was allowed so close to the monarch.
The incident has sparked a debate about the balance between the royals' accessibility to the public and the need for more robust security measures. Fans and commentators alike have called for a reassessment of the security protocols surrounding the Danish royal family, particularly during public engagements.
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