King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark are celebrating two years of reign. Frederik X became King of Denmark on January 14 2024 and while the new monarch was at the centre of events that day, it was his consort who started this new era for the country’s royals as their cornerstone.
Mary of Denmark, born and raised in Australia, put all the focus on her husband’s new realm on the day that he took the throne on the abdication of his mother, Margrethe II. And she looked picture perfect while she did it.
Queen Mary’s touching choice in accession outfit called back to the day she became Denmark’s Crown Princess.
The simple cream-coloured dress was designed by Soeren Le Schmidt and sewn by Birgit Hallstein, the dressmaker who sewed her wedding dress in 2004.
Queen Mary’s wedding dress was designed by Danish fashion designer Uffe Frank, but Hallstein is the one who sewed together the 67.5 metres of duchesse silk.
Queen Mary has been a longtime patron of both Soeren Le Schmidt and Birgit Hallstein. The Danish designers are behind several gowns worn to New Year’s levees and other official events throughout her time as Crown Princess.
Le Schmidt posted on his official Instagram: “Beyond Grateful / Thank you for choosing me ❤️ Queen Mary of Denmark”.
For jewellery, the new queen kept it simple and returned to a standard set of jewels she’s made good use of as Crown Princess: the earrings from the Ruby Parure she received from Queen Margrethe as a wedding gift.
There’s an added layer to Queen Mary’s jewellery: the Ruby Parure once belonged to Queen Ingrid, the last queen consort of Denmark—from 1947 to 1972.
Queen Ingrid died in 2000, before Queen Mary ever had the chance to meet her. In fact, she passed away during the Sydney Olympics, prompting King Frederik to return to Denmark sooner than planned.
It was another poignant touch in the outfit and also did just what Queen Ingrid always intended these jewels to do – put Denmark front and centre. For the rubies and diamonds are the colours of the Danish flag and added to the cream coloured outfit that Queen Mary chose, they were the perfect way of making this all about Denmark.
Queen Mary also wore her family order of Queen Margrethe. King Frederik issued his own family order soon afterwards, with his wife and consort the first to wear it.
Queen Mary’s choice to wear white follows the fashion choices of Queen Mathilde, Queen Letizia, and Queen Camilla, all of whom wore white when their husbands were crowned.
