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.

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 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.