Denmark's Crown Prince Frederik 'turned away from Australian bar for not having ID'
The 49-year-old royal was eventually allowed entry after diplomatic officers intervened
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A Danish Prince was reportedly turned away from an Australian bar because he did not have ID.
Crown Prince Frederik had hoped to wet his whistle at Brisbane's Jade Buddha bar, but he was initially denied entry because of strict alcohol laws in the state of Queensland, which require establishments to verify the identity of all patrons after 10pm.
The 49-year-old royal, who is married to Australian-born Princess Mary, was only let in when the state police's dignitary protection unit convinced security they could permit him to enter without breaking the law.
The bar's co-owner Phil Hogan said he feared he could be fined over the affair for allowing the prince inside, despite his staff following strict protocol.
He told the Brisbane Courier Mail the new rules were a "nightmare" and that despite having "plenty of evidence" to support his version of events, he worried he would be found in breach of the strict law.
"This is just the tip of the iceberg with the prince. It's happening all the time with normal people," he said of the incident, which has been described in some media reports as an "international embarrassment for the Queensland Government".
Queensland Police Commissioner Ian Stewart later denied that the prince had been refused entry and insisted that the identification issue was resolved during two earlier meetings involving the royal's entourage.
"The Prince at no time was party to those conversations and wasn't even present when the security personnel made those arrangements," he told reporters.
The incident has nonetheless provoked a fresh wave of criticism over the state's strict lockout laws, introduced in July.
Anyone entering a venue that serves alcohol after 10pm in designated Safe Night Precincts has to have their ID, such as a driver's licence or passport, scanned.
The minimum drinking age in Australia is 18, but the law applies to everyone, even those who appear much older than the legal limit.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments