QUEEN MARY FORCED TO LIVE A LIE?

Since her husband was spotted with another woman, the royal has been dealt countless blows back in the spotlight

For Queen Mary of Denmark, last week was another humiliating one spent without her husband as she dutifully smiled and waved while attending three local events on her own.

Beginning with the 75th anniversary of the Freedom Museum on 3 April, the brave mother-of-four continued to fly solo a few days later at the opening of a Copenhagen deer park. Then on 9 April, she put on a stunning display in a blue power suit, in defiance of relentless speculation that all isn't right in her royal marriage.

Friends say Mary, 52, is determined to not let those rumours sway her from her duties, however, palace insiders are still wondering just how much more the Tasmanian-born queen can take.

Mary hasn't been seen at a public event with King Frederik III, 55, since March, when the couple attended an exhibit at the Amalienborg Museum in Copenhagen, but speculation about their marriage has now hit fever pitch after Mary's three solo appearances in a row.

Last November, allegations of an affair hit the couple when then-Prince Frederik was photographed walking with Mexican socialite Genoveva Casanova in Madrid on an unofficial trip. The incident made international news, prompting denials from both parties and threats of legal action from 47-year-old Genoveva.