Crown Princess Mary came face-to-face with history during a visit to Koldinghus on Thursday, where she viewed an exhibit about herself and her immediate predecessors who have held the title of Crown Princess of Denmark.
‘Mary and the Crown Princesses’ opens on 31 January as one of many planned celebrations to mark her 50th birthday in February.
The Danish Royal House shared photos of Mary visiting the exhibit, noting that she received a tour from the Royal Collection’s Museum Director Thomas C. Thulstrup and met with volunteers who have sewn the curtains for the exhibit using techniques from the 19th and 20th centuries.
A lifelike projection of Crown Princess Mary will follow visitors around the exhibit, sharing details of her royal life.
One projection will say: “A crown princess faces the challenge of occupying an absolutely central position in a foreign country. You need to learn a new language and a new culture while under close public scrutiny – and you are keenly aware of how much there is to live up to. But you also have a great opportunity for shaping your own role.”
Personal artefacts will be on display in the exhibit, including her ruby parure, the outfit worn to Prince Christian’s christening, and personal photographs from travelling throughout Denmark, her personal family time, and work with her patronages.
Displays dedicated to Crown Princess Mary’s four immediate predecessors—Louise of Hesse-Kassel, Lovisa of Sweden-Norway, Alexandrine of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Ingrid of Sweden—will also factor into the exhibit to show how the role has evolved over time and how Mary fits into this heritage.
‘Mary and the Crown Princesses’ is open through to the end of the year, closing on 30 December.
Crown Princess Mary celebrates her 50th birthday on 5 February. A series of special events will be held to celebrate—including a gala dinner (re-scheduled to a later date due to the ongoing pandemic), museum exhibits, the opening of a new research centre at the University of Copenhagen, and the creation of a display for Australian animals at the Copenhagen Zoo.
