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Features

Queen Mary returns to familiar couturiers for first queenly appearance

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.

Queen Mary also wore her family order of Queen Margrethe. King Frederik will soon issue his own family order, with his wife and consort the first to wear it.

Queen Mary’s choice to wear white today follows the fashion choices of Queen Mathilde, Queen Letizia, and Queen Camilla, all of whom wore white when their husbands were crowned.

About author

Jess Ilse is the Assistant Editor at Royal Central. She specialises in the British, Danish, Norwegian and Swedish Royal Families and has been following royalty since Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee. Jess has provided commentary for media outlets in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Jess works in communications and her debut novel THE MAJESTIC SISTERS will publish in Fall 2024.