She is the only child of Alain Cavallier, partner in an advertising agency,[1] and Françoise Grassiot (née Moreau), owner of the Château de la Vernède, near Avignon.

After her parents divorced, Marie was sent to the Collège Alpin International Beau Soleil boarding school in Switzerland.

Marie first came to public attention when she was photographed with Prince Joachim in August 2005 on a private holiday in Avignon, France.

Later that year, Marie joined the royal family for Easter at Marselisborg Palace, where she met Joachim's mother, Queen Margrethe II, for the first time.

Marie's wedding gown was designed by Spanish-Italian fashion house Arasa Morelli,[5] and was sewn by a Danish woman working for the company.

Marie's first engagement and trip abroad was to Morocco on 28 October 2008, when she handed out Lego toys to orphanage children in Rabat.

In March 2010, Marie undertook her fourth official visit abroad to Mexico City with Prince Joachim.