Denmark's Princess Mary has always found it "difficult" seeing people alone.
Denmark's Prince Frederik and Princess Mary (c) Instagram
The 44-year-old royal - who announced the launch of the Mary Foundation which targets victims of domestic violence and bullying in 2007 - has admitted she has an "innate fear" of being alone and has always struggled to see people who do not belong to a community.
Speaking to Vogue Australia, which sees her and Prince Frederik grace the front cover of on their latest issue - she said: "One thing I have always found difficult from as early as I can remember is seeing people who appear to be alone.
"It has always affected me deeply and I can't explain why. To see people standing on the outside looking in, who can't understand why they aren't part of a community or group.
"The abused woman, the bullied child, and the lonely adolescent feel very, very lonely in the world with their problems and will often never share them."
And the mother of four - who has sons Christian, 10, Vincent, five, as well as daughters Isabella, nine, and Josephine, five, with her husband Prince Frederik - has revealed everyone is terrified of being alone.
She explained: "We all have this innate fear of not belonging ... We all have a right to belong."
Meanwhile, the brunette beauty is credited as being a "world leader" by the publications editor Edwina McCann.
Speaking about Mary - who married her husband in 2004 and featured on her first cover shoot shortly after the pair tied the knot - she said: "We discovered a woman at ease with her public life and position, who is driven to use her influence and the privilege it awards her to further causes close to her heart: gender equality and sustainability. She is knowledgeable, fiercely intelligent and well-informed about the issues.
"The Crown Princess is making her mark as a world leader and passionate advocate in these areas. With her energy and drive I suspect this is still only the beginning of the enormous contribution she will make."