The Queen of Denmark usually likes to get the royal year off to a glittering start with a string of special receptions and banquets. However, in 2021, that’s all on ice in the chilly days of early January, owing to the coronavirus pandemic. So instead of new sparkle, Royal Central is taking a look back at past galas and in the 2010s, Queen Margrethe treated us to a rainbow of dresses and jewels that made every New Year pop.
A sparkling celebration
Embed from Getty ImagesQueen Margrethe marked her Ruby Jubilee in 2012 so it’s rather appropriate that she started her celebratory year in a coral red gown for the New Year’s gala. The tiara, with its diamond loops filled with pear shaped pearls, is one indelibly associated with Queens of Denmark. Margrethe has worn it for many major occasions, including her first portraits as Monarch, so it was a very suitable jubilee pick.
Going for gold
Embed from Getty ImagesThe dramatic midnight blue gown worn by the Queen of Denmark on New Year’s Day 2013 might have come straight from the pages of a medieval chronicle but the glittering golden tiara is about as modern as they come. It was presented to Margrethe by the people of Greenland in 2012 to mark the 40th anniversary of her reign and her decision to wear it to the first New Year gala she could was a touching tribute. It’s made from gold coins minted in Greenland and melted down and the pretty floral design is the work of goldsmith, Nicolai Appel.
Glorious green
Embed from Getty ImagesThe beginning of 2014 saw Queen Margrethe turn over a new leaf, quite literally, with this leaf green dress. The green theme continued with that amazing collection of emeralds including a tiara, necklace and earrings, all part of a parure that has been a go to for Queens of Denmark for centuries.
Vibrant and verdant
Embed from Getty ImagesGreen was in favour again with the Danish Queen a year later. Margrethe began 2015 in the same emeralds (when you own jewels that fabulous, why not?) but this time went for a forest green dress with lace detailing on the sleeves to match her gems. She wore the same combination again in 2018.
The Ice Queen
Embed from Getty ImagesThey might help us all start the year with sparkle, but New Year’s nights out in Copenhagen can be cold. Margethe’s ice blue dress matches the winter feel and she returned to her favourite Pearl Poire Tiara for the 2016 gala. It worked so well, she did exactly the same thing in 2017.
Brightness hiding sadness
Embed from Getty ImagesIn 2019, Queen Margrethe began the year in reflective mood. Her beloved husband of over fifty years, Prince Henrik, had died in February 2018. She walked into a new year without her life’s companion at her side, a difficult moment for anyone but made harder by the world watching on. Margrethe wore coral with those trusty pearls to add sparkle but however glittering the look, you can’t help but feel for the Queen of Denmark here.
