Denmark Crown prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary tour bushfire-ravaged communities in NSW FOR once, there is no dazzling smile sweeping across her face. As she walks up the bricked driveway and stares through the empty carport, Princess Mary is quiet, contemplative, unable to comprehend the sheer devastation that lies before her - a crumbled, tortured spiral of blackened metal where a house once stood. Prince Frederik and Princess Mary in Buena Vista Rd, Winmalee. She stops in the middle of Buena Vista Rd, one of a handful of Winmalee streets that burned on the afternoon of October 17, and commends the firefighters, the volunteers and the everyday residents for their formidable community spirit. And then she reminds them, though slow and thoughtful delivery, what matters most. Them. "People who are standing here today having lost their homes, the most important thing is that people have their lives," she says. Danish Royals Prince Frederik and Princess Mary visit Winmalee Rural fire crews at their station then inspect homes lost in bush fires. A few metres away, a family, as if proving her point with perfect timing, pull into their driveway and set about walking through the blackened remains of their home. They are there, their house isn't. It was a scene to be thankful for, without diminishing their loss. This was not a scheduled visit. Sunday morning was meant to be a time of relaxation for Crown Prince Frederik and his Tasmanian-born Princess; a chance to enjoy Sydney's spring sun on the harbour, perhaps, or recline without the humdrum of officialdom bearing on them. Instead, they drove down a smoky M4 and into the Blue Mountains foothills to shake the hands of 60-odd Rural Fire Service volunteers, thank their long-suffering families, and see for themselves just what 100km winds, searing temperatures, and a flame can do to a suburb. Nor was it a time to wear their Sunday best. Immaculate dresses and designer heels would not be pulled from the wardrobe of Princess Mary's penthouse suite yesterday morning. A group of around 200, mostly locals, turned out to meet Danish Royals Prince Frederik and Princess Mary. It was time to don the jeans, the green joggers, and a navy knit that was later tied around her slim waist when the mercury started moving north. Prince Frederik went to the suitcase and came back with a pair of purple cargo pants, proving once again the bearded Dane can make anything work. As the Springwood fire continued to burn a few kilometres away in a valley behind Faulconbridge, the pair received an in-depth briefing from RFS Commissioner Shane After losing homes and belongings the Royal visit was a great chance for a change of pace. Fitzsimmons about the intricacies of the Australian bush and its propensity to burn. Fast and furious. As Prince Frederik himself mentioned in a speech at the Sydney Opera House on Friday, this was not a scenario that Danes are particularly accustomed to. For the suffering community of Winmalee, home to the bulk of the 200-odd destroyed homes, a visit from a Prince and his adored Princess delivered a welcome boost to morale. Princess Mary talks to two young residents of Buena Vista Road, Winmalee.