King Frederik and Queen Mary hosted the second and third New Year’s Levees in Denmark: one for military and high court judges and the other for the diplomatic corps.
The first levee, for the supreme court justices, the Royal Lifeguards and the Guardhusarregiment’s Officer Corps, happened at Christian VII’s Palace at Amalienborg; the second levee took place at Christiansborg Palace.
The Danish Court hosts several levees throughout early January, a tradition dating back to the end of the First World War, when large gatherings couldn’t happen with all at once on New Year’s Day.
According to the Court, “Throughout the 20th century, the number of state institutions grew, more ministries were established, a large number of new countries emerged and thus more diplomatic representations.”
Queen Mary wore all white for both levees, pairing a white and metallic brocade gown by Rickie Freeman with antique earrings and a bracelet that once belonged to Queen Louise, queen consort of Denmark between 1906 and 1912.
King Frederik and Queen Mary conclude their New Year’s festivities on Tuesday, with a parade in the Golden Carriage from Amalienborg to Christiansborg Palace. There, they will host their last levee for members of the Danish Armed Forces, the Emergency Management Agency, and representatives of national organisations and their patronages.
Following the levee, the royal couple will be escorted back to Amalienborg in the Golden Carriage—built for King Christian VIII in 1840 and covered in twenty-four karat gold leaf.
