17 MAY 2005

Princess Mary of Denmark, still packing her agenda with public engagements despite the recent announcement that she's expecting her first child, has inspired a TV reality show in her home country.

Aussie TV bosses are searching for young women to follow in commoner Mary's footsteps by undergoing a royal makeover in a new reality show. Producers are searching for "diamonds in the rough" to be schooled in sophistication and high society, in a process led by Princess Diana's former butler Paul Burrell.

"The chosen contestants will learn how to walk, talk and act like a real princess," said a statement from Granada Productions, which is behind the programme. The winner will then be escorted to a gala ball in London by a hitherto undisclosed Prince Charming.

And, proving herself an inspiration in a different context, Tasmanian-born Mary has emerged as the third most-trusted person in the country in a Reader's Digest survey, following burn specialist Dr Fiona Wood and veteran singer-actress Olivia Newton-John. Editor-in-chief Tom Moore attributed the triumphs on the list to a common "generosity of spirit".

Aussie TV producers are looking for young women to undergo a royal makeover in a new show inspired by Mary, pictured here visiting a Copenhagen school

Princess Mary charming the crowd at a Kronborg castle event a few days ago