Mary's first prince
Exclusive by KELVIN HEALEY
May 23, 2004
BRENT Annells was watching with more interest than most when Mary Donaldson married Denmark's Crown Prince Frederik in Copenhagen last week.
The Melbourne public relations executive is not only Mary's friend, but also the man who shared her life for seven years during the 1990s.
Mr Annells, son of Connex Australia chairman Bob Annells, was not at Mary's spectacular wedding, but said he remained good friends with the Tasmanian beauty, who he described as "smart, honest and down to earth".
Mr Annells, 33, avoided publicity before the wedding.
The director of his family's St Kilda-based PR firm said he was not surprised by Denmark's affection for the princess.
"She's a fantastic person," Mr Annells said. "She's very genuine, smart, honest and down-to-earth and I think the way she has been embraced by the royal family is a reflection of that."
It is understood the couple's break-up was amicable.
"The relationship we had over the seven years was effectively over four or five years ago and we've remained good friends," he said. "I wish her and her partner every happiness."
A mutual friend of Mr Annells and Mary said the couple had met at university. The woman, who attended the royal wedding, said: "They were a happy young university couple. They still hold each other in great standing.
"He was invited to the wedding, but was unable to attend due to work commitments. She's a very smart girl and he's also very successful in his own right. He's a very honourable man."
The crown princess spoke about Mr Annells in a documentary released on Danish television shortly before the wedding.
"I had a boyfriend for seven years, but we drifted apart," she said.
Mary said her mother's sudden death in 1997 had changed her life. She quit her advertising job in Melbourne soon after and travelled the world. The separation reportedly damaged the relationship.
Mr Annells and Mary lived in South Yarra and had a joint business interest. She was secretary of company Kingcash and Mr Annells was a director between 1993 and 1995. Like Mary, Mr Annells was born in Hobart and moved to Melbourne. His father was a Tasmanian tourism bureaucrat who became Tourism Victoria chief executive before moving to Connex.
Meanwhile, the wedding continues to obsess the Danes and earn money for businesses.
In chapels across Denmark, brides are walking down aisles in "Mary gowns", the Postal Service's biggest selling stamp is the wedding special issue and everyone with something to sell knows the princess is big business.
"In three days, we have sold 2.5 million stamps at 4.5 Danish kroner ($1.10)," said marketing director Allan Bo Hansen. "Normally we wouldn't sell that in a month."
Danish fashion experts are predicting the stylish Mary will inspire a billion-dollar industry.
"Mary is unquestionably a fashion icon," said designer Mikkel Skjoldan. "Her look will be seen in boutiques, magazines and ads."
Chocolate and candle makers, florists, toy stores, fairy shops and T-shirt vendors are among those cashing in, but perhaps the biggest winners have been the glossy magazines. Top seller Billed Bladet expects to raise circulation by 75 per cent with its royal wedding edition.
Sunday Herald Sun
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