PRINCESS MARY: FORCED TO FLEE DENMARK

With her marriage under pressure, the royal is desperate to be with those who know her best

It was a beautiful feeling to see Tasmania below me," Princess Mary said 18 years ago as she returned to her home country shortly after her fairytale wedding to her husband, Prince Frederik.

And palace insiders say the Aussie royal, 51, is desperately seeking that same comfort as her marriage continues to come under pressure.

"Mary's desperate to get back home and spend some quality time with her family. She's worried about her dad, who's back in Tasmania and has been unwell. She also desperately misses her sisters and brother.

"With all the drama going on in the palace and the spotlight on her marriage, she really could do with a hug and a nice cuppa with the girls. They've been worried about her and how she's holding out. She looks slimmer than normal, so there's no doubt the pressure's getting to her," adds the source.

Mary and Frederik, 55, have put on a united front after photos emerged in Spanish magazine Lecturas of Fred on a night out in Madrid with glamorous Mexican socialite and reality star Genoveva Casanova - without his wife.