As Queen Mary and King Frederik prepare to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary – experts point out the ‘glaring signs’ their fairytale romance is long gone

Queen Mary and King Frederik may be preparing to ‘celebrate’ 20 years of marriage on Tuesday, but some claim their famous ‘fairytale romance’ is over.

The couple, who met at Sydney pub The Slip Inn during the 2000 Olympics, are known for their subtle but endearing displays of affection at public events.

But according to body language and vocal intelligence expert: Dr. Louise Mahlertheir recent “loving looks,” linked arms, and wide smiles are “all for show.”

She believes they have not been authentic with their affection since photos of the king in Madrid with glamorous socialite Genoveva Casanova went viral, sparking rumors of an affair.

Dr. However, Mahler claims that their relationship will last thanks to one green flag: they both want to be king and queen, and they want to do it together.

Queen Mary, pictured here one step ahead of her husband, has “taken control” of the relationship and the couple’s public image, Dr Mahler said earlier this week.

‘They don’t show any signs of being a couple [romantically],’ she said.

Dr. Mahler claims Queen Mary shut out King Frederick during a recent interview, their first as monarch, with hands folded and legs crossed. Her head is also often tilted away from him.

“She’s in control. He is sulking and needs to grow up,” she said.

Heavily written performances, including the awkward interview on Danish TV 2 and their first tour of Scandinavia as leaders, help prove her point.

During the television interview, King Frederik looks at his wife and smiles – although Dr Mahler claims the looks were ‘far too short to be authentic’.

The couple is pictured on their wedding day on May 14, 2004

During the television interview, King Frederik looks at his wife and smiles – although Dr Mahler claims the looks were ‘far too short to be authentic’. He frequently has his hands curled into fists, indicating feelings of tension and discomfort

“He doesn’t even look at her long enough to focus his eyes,” she said.

Although photos of the couple during royal engagements show them arm in arm, their “affectionate display” is only for the public, says Dr Mahler.

“It may be that this is understandable after so many years, but given the previous tactile behavior and rumors before the coronation, you sense a challenge in their relationship,” she said.

The couple’s body language during the TV 2 interview was ‘closed’ and ‘awkward’, with Queen Mary blocking King Fred with her hands and legs and leaning away with her shoulders as he ‘fidgeted’ the whole time (pictured). Read more about the bizarre appearance here

Dr. Mahler said interactions between the couple changed after rumors spread that Frederik was having an affair with Mexican socialite Genoveva Casanova (pictured)

In one photo, uploaded to Instagram by the palace, the couple arm in arm smile at the crowd, but King Frederik’s hands are clenched into fists

“There are signs of heads looking in different directions, arms blocking contact with each other and spatial distance as much as possible,” she said.

Dr. Mahler believes he has completely ‘checked out’, while Mary’s behavior has simply been ‘protective’ since the family became embroiled in the embarrassing scandal last November.

But there is hope for the couple, even if not in the traditionally intimate sense.

“The good news is that here are two people who are completely committed to their roles (as king and queen) and playing that role as a couple,” she said.

“They are together and maybe that’s all that matters to the nation,” she said.