Queen Mary of Denmark just took royal power dressing to new heights and I’m in awe of how well she does it

Queen Mary of Denmark welcomed some of the most powerful people in Europe to her royal palace and gave a lesson in power dressing while she was at it.

As European leaders gathered in Copenhagen, it was down to the Queen of Denmark and her husband to host a glittering gala dinner for them all. And as Mary opened the doors of the Christian VII Palace, she dressed to perfection.

While Prince Albert II of Monaco was in attendance, as a Head of State, this wasn’t a royal event but a diplomatic one, bringing together political leaders from across Europe ahead of a meeting of the European Political Community set for October 2.

And while gala at the Danish royal palace usually means tiaras and ballgowns, when the guests are elected politicians there has to be a shift.

Queen Mary matched her outfit to the situation without fuss. She walked out on to the steps to greet them in an elegant white trouser combo covered in a three quarter length black coat, combining gala with smart day wear effortlessly. It was a lesson in style and, with its added surprise factor, a striking show from Denmark’s always chic queen.

The top and trousers, which featured on trend bell bottoms, were from Carla Zampatti, the design label founded by one of Australia’s most famous couturiers. The coat, from Harris Wharf London, was worn with an historic royal brooch, known as the Ivy brooch, which has been part of the Danish royal collection for over a century and has become a favourite of Queen Mary’s since her husband’s accession as King Frederik X in January 2024.

The couple entertained their guests to a banquet that showcased food from Denmark and its autonomous territories. To start, there was fish from Greenland, perhaps a reminder to European leaders of the strong Danish devotion to a place only recently eyed up by US President, Donald Trump.

The main course came from west Denmark and was built around that region’s guinea lamb which was served with chanterelles and a very autumnal pumpkin puree. The dessert was chocolate, nuts and yoghurt ganache with berries. The wines included bottles from the Chateau de Cayx, the estate owned by King Frederik’s late father, Prince Henrik.

Queen Mary’s style choices didn’t stop with the surprise white trouser suit. She also oversaw the flowers that decorated the room, selecting an autumnal colour palate of deep oranges and bright pinks dominated by exotic blooms including calla lilies and eucalyptus. They were all shown off in 1920s vases designed to lift the flowers above eyeline so guests can see each other with eases.

Meanwhile, it was left to King Frederik to charm the guests with an opening speech. Speaking in English, he told them that his monarchy ”goes back more than a thousand years and is, with its continuous line of monarchs, one of the world’s oldest, not least thanks to many European alliances and marriages along the way. While I assure you that marriage proposals aren’t on the agenda for tonight, the queen and I are delighted to host this European Political community dinner.”

And he added ”please feel at home – after all, this is a house whose history is deeply rooted in Europe.”

Queen Mary, sitting with UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, and the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, led the applause for her husband’s speech.

King Frederik and Queen Mary are back to a full roster of engagements after their summer break although they have also called on their eldest son, Crown Prince Christian, to act as regent from time to time, dependent on his ongoing military training.