Mary, like you’ve never seen her before! Queen of Denmark frolics with friends in a revealing swimsuit as she returns to Australia without husband Frederik on the one-year anniversary of his ‘affair scandal’

Queen Mary of Denmark was spotted again without her wedding ring on Thursday while swimming with friends at Balmoral Beach in Sydney.

It is understood the Australian-born Danish monarch, 52, flew to Hobart this weekend to attend her niece’s wedding before traveling to Sydney where she has been soaking up the sun on some of the country’s most picturesque beaches city.

The mother-of-four was spotted with her 13-year-old daughter Josephine at Bronte Beach on Wednesday, with sharp-eyed royal fans pointing out that she was also without a ring on that occasion.

Mary’s return to Australia comes 12 months after rumors emerged that her husband King Frederick, 56, had an affair with Mexican socialite Genoveva Casanova, which were strongly denied.

Frederik did not accompany his wife on her trip to Australia, but chose to remain in Denmark on official business.

However, his decision to stay home has raised eyebrows among fans of the Danish royal family, who have kept a close eye on the couple since the ‘affair’ scandal rocked their relationship.

Cracks began to appear in the couple’s fairytale romance after the then-Crown Prince was photographed on a night out with Ms Casanova in Madrid last October.

The once “playful, tactile” royal couple appeared icy and distant during their first public appearance after the photos were published by Spanish magazine Lecturas.

Queen Mary of Denmark showed off her slim physique at Sydney’s Balmoral Beach on Thursday during an unannounced return to her home country

She showed off her natural beauty by going makeup-free

She showed off her natural beauty by going makeup-free

Mary laughed as she splashed and gave her friends a thumbs up

Mary laughed as she splashed and gave her friends a thumbs up

The royal looked at ease as she enjoyed a dip in the fresh sea

The royal looked at ease as she enjoyed a dip in the fresh sea

Mary was seen without her wedding ring for the second time this week

Mary was seen without her wedding ring for the second time this week

1730387985 87 Mary like youve never seen her before Queen of Denmark

The popular royal stripped naked and went to the water after settling on the sand

The figure-hugging swimsuit perhaps revealed a little more than Mary expected

The figure-hugging swimsuit perhaps revealed a little more than Mary expected

It is understood the Australian-born Danish monarch, 52, flew to Hobart this weekend to attend her niece's wedding

It is understood the Australian-born Danish monarch, 52, flew to Hobart this weekend to attend her niece’s wedding

1730387995 428 Mary like youve never seen her before Queen of Denmark

1730387999 859 Mary like youve never seen her before Queen of Denmark

1730388002 353 Mary like youve never seen her before Queen of Denmark

Since then, fans have been mourning the outwardly loving relationship the couple once shared, with many claiming the fire has gone out between them.

However, the scandal seemed furthest from Mary’s mind as she strolled along Balmoral Beach with friends before sunbathing on Thursday.

The popular royal quickly stripped down to her flattering $247 rose-pink Copenhagen Cartel one-piece swimsuit before hitting the water with a friend.

She laughed as she splashed and gave a thumbs up to her friends on the sand of the cool 20 degree Celsius water.

The queen looked relaxed and happy as she floated in the ocean before drying off in the sun.

It came after her visit to Bronte Beach on Wednesday sparked speculation from royal watchers about her wedding.

“There is no tan line or dent visible from wearing her rings, looks like she only wears them when she is performing a royal duty,” one fan commented online.

“Why isn’t Fred with her?” asked another.

“Things haven’t been the same since he was seen with that other woman,” a third added.

King Frederik gave a presentation at the Power European Industry conference and attended an event at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark during his wife’s trip to Australia.

Ms Casanova strongly denied any affair with Frederik immediately after photos of the pair together emerged and has since refused to speak about the matter.

The royal looked just like any other beachgoer as she relaxed with her friends

The royal looked just like any other beachgoer as she relaxed with her friends

1730388009 981 Mary like youve never seen her before Queen of Denmark

1730388012 323 Mary like youve never seen her before Queen of Denmark

Mary's friend opted for a luxe beach fit: the $1,100 Matchmaker Frilled Mini Dress from Australian designer Zimmermann

Mary’s friend opted for a luxe beach fit: the $1,100 Matchmaker Frilled Mini Dress from Australian designer Zimmermann

1730388020 520 Mary like youve never seen her before Queen of Denmark

1730388022 662 Mary like youve never seen her before Queen of Denmark

She soaked up the sun while enjoying the company of her friends

She soaked up the sun while enjoying the company of her friends

Mary put on her flattering $247 rose-pink one-piece swimsuit from Copenhagen Cartel before entering the water

She put on her swimsuit as she went into the ocean

Mary put on her flattering $247 rose-pink one-piece swimsuit from Copenhagen Cartel before entering the water

1730388037 71 Mary like youve never seen her before Queen of Denmark

1730388041 839 Mary like youve never seen her before Queen of Denmark

1730388045 977 Mary like youve never seen her before Queen of Denmark

1730388048 490 Mary like youve never seen her before Queen of Denmark

1730388052 789 Mary like youve never seen her before Queen of Denmark

1730388056 638 Mary like youve never seen her before Queen of Denmark

1730388059 247 Mary like youve never seen her before Queen of Denmark

Balmoral is known for its flat surf and is recommended for groups who want to enjoy the water and socialize without being bombarded by waves

Balmoral is known for its flat surf and is recommended for groups who want to enjoy the water and socialize without being bombarded by waves

1730388065 49 Mary like youve never seen her before Queen of Denmark

1730388069 853 Mary like youve never seen her before Queen of Denmark

1730388073 770 Mary like youve never seen her before Queen of Denmark

1730388077 599 Mary like youve never seen her before Queen of Denmark

1730388080 804 Mary like youve never seen her before Queen of Denmark

The queen looked relaxed and happy as she floated through the water

The queen looked relaxed and happy as she floated through the water

The Danish palace told Femail not to respond to rumours.

Weeks after the photos of the now King and Mrs Casanova were published, Mary was spotted on another holiday in Sydney without Frederik.

During that visit, she climbed the harbor bridge together with Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine.

Queen Mary, pictured here with King Frederick, flew to Australia for her niece's wedding

Queen Mary's journey home marks one year since her husband was photographed in Madrid with Genoveva Casanova, pictured

Queen Mary’s visit comes 12 months after rumors emerged that her husband King Frederick, 56, had an affair with Mexican socialite Genoveva Casanova

The couple appeared to shut each other out during their first public appearance after the photos were published in Madrid

The couple appeared to shut each other out during their first public appearance after the photos were published in Madrid