Queen Mary of Denmark turned 52 on Monday, leaving many fans questioning the secrets behind her age-defying looks.
The Australian-born royal is said to stick to a typical Danish diet that focuses on locally sourced, high-quality natural foods that are rich in good fats and low in carbohydrates.
Thanks to her Australian upbringing, Mary has always led an active life and is often spotted jogging or walking with her family.
The mother of four has a trusted team of hair and beauty experts who have helped her transform from the girl next door to an elegant royal.
Mary swears by skincare products from Danish skin expert to the stars Ole Henriksen, who believes the eyes are the most important part of the face and invests in vitamin C-rich products.
Then and now: As Queen Mary of Denmark turns 52 on Monday, February 5, FEMAIL takes a look at the health and beauty secrets behind the royal family’s age-defying looks
FAT-FAT, CARBOHYDRATING DIET
The Queen Consort’s slim body is thanks to her Danish diet which consists of fish, nuts, seeds, fruits and root vegetables.
Sydney dietitian Susie Burrell told FEMAIL that the Mediterranean diet has long been hailed as one of the healthiest, but Scandinavian diets are just as beneficial, with Denmark’s obesity rate at just 10 percent.
‘It is certainly one of the healthiest diets in the world thanks to its particularly high omega-3 content from a high intake of fatty fish,’ she said.
The nutritionist added that the Scandi diet contains ‘low processed carbohydrates and varied plants from dark bread, seeds and nuts’.
Dietitian Lyndi Cohen echoed Susie’s sentiments, saying that FEMAIL people living in Denmark tend to eat more fish, especially oily fish like salmon, and less meat than a typical Western diet.
She explained that Mary is most likely to eat meals containing oily fish, potatoes, nuts, seeds and cheese, while snacking on fruits and vegetables.
“The ‘Danish diet’ emphasizes high-quality meat when meat is eaten – and lean options,” she said.
The Australian-born royal is said to stick to a typical Danish diet that focuses on locally sourced, high-quality natural foods high in good fats and low in carbohydrates.
Mary is most likely to eat meals of oily fish, potatoes, nuts, seeds, and cheese, while snacking on fruits and vegetables
The regimen typically has a lower intake of carbohydrates and a high intake of good fats such as nuts, seeds and proteins.
‘The Danish diet includes fruit and encourages snacking on berries, which are rich in antioxidants that can protect against disease,’ said Lyndi.
‘It is also high in root vegetables such as carrots, parsnips and potatoes, while rye bread is a staple food in the diet – mainly because it contains many more nutrients such as B-group vitamins, iron, phytochemicals and magnesium.’
“Rye also contains significantly more fiber than white options, which can support healthy heart health,” she said.
ACTIVE LIFESTYLE
Mary isn’t too strict with her healthy diet and thanks to her very active lifestyle, she is regularly spotted indulging in lavish dinners and glasses of red wine.
The royal family’s favorite activities are walking, jogging and horse riding, and she reportedly has a personal trainer to stay in shape.
‘Mary, like the rest of her family, is completely committed to exercise. She is always walking, jogging or riding,” her sister-in-law Leanne Donaldson previously said New idea.
‘She also runs after four children – guaranteed to keep everyone in shape!’
Mary’s favorite activities are walking, jogging and horse riding, and she reportedly has a personal trainer to stay in shape
Mary has been photographed several times jogging in her home country and on trips to Australia with her husband King Frederik or children Prince Christian, 18, Princess Isabella, 16, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, both 13, in tow.
Last year, she barely broke a sweat as she hiked part of a newly opened hiking trail in northern Denmark last August.
BEAUTY & SKIN CARE
Mary’s youthful complexion is partly thanks to beauty guru Henriksen, whom she met almost twenty years ago while pregnant with eldest child Christian, and asked him for skin care advice.
Mr Henriksen has his own brand of skin care products, which he previously told FEMAIL that the Queen is a big fan of.
‘Because of her love affair with some of my products, she invited me to her home. I found her incredibly warm, personable and extremely beautiful. I was captivated by her beautiful smile and stunning sense of style,” he recalls.
Mr. Henriksen focuses on the eyes as the most important part of the face to be treated, as they require ‘special attention’ in any skincare regiment.
“Try to use creams that are proven to moisturize and firm to improve your skin’s elasticity, and always make this the last step of your routine,” he said.
Mary swears by products from skin expert to the stars Ole Henriksen (pictured), who believes the eyes are the most important part of the face, and by investing in vitamin C-rich products
Mr Henriksen emphasized the importance of drinking plenty of water, saying that while you can still have the occasional glass of wine, you need to ‘hydrate’ to aim for a coveted skin tone.
“Nothing does this better than our Banana Bright Eye Creme ($54), which serves to lighten and strengthen natural collagen with added vitamin C—it’s makeup and eye care in one pot!”
The beauty businessman also credited Mary’s healthy, balanced diet for her glowing skin.
“I’m a strong opponent of fast food of any kind – say goodbye to junk and discover colorful vegetables instead,” he recommended.
Mr Henriksen stressed the importance of drinking plenty of water, saying that while you can still have the occasional glass of wine, you need to ‘hydrate, hydrate, hydrate’ to pursue your coveted skin tone.
HAIR & MAKEUP
For hair and makeup, Mary responded to hairdresser and personal friend Soren Hedegaard for most of her royal career.
She typically prefers a glowy base and pink blusher, with a quiet smoky eye and a nude or red lip.
She regularly contacts Danish emerging designers when it comes to her fashion choices, as well as major brands such as Caroline Herrera and Marc Jacobs.
Mary has a new mysterious hair and make-up artist on board, while Mr Hedegaard announces that he has resigned when his friend became Queen Consort on January 14.
After 23 years, the hair and makeup artist said he is “passing the baton to the next generation.”
The 68-year-old played a key role in Mary’s royal transformation and has become a close personal friend of the princess after working together since she was thrust into the spotlight two decades ago.
“With the end of 2023 and with the prospect of a change of throne, I have also chosen a change in my life,” he wrote on Instagram. after before the proclamation.
‘On 14/1 2024 and after 23 years as hairdresser to HRH Crown Princess Mary, I will pass the baton to the next generation.’
‘It has been 23 wonderful and unforgettable years with memories and friendships that I will always carry in my heart.’
For hair and makeup, Mary responded to hairdresser and personal friend Soren Hedegaard for most of her royal career
Soren met Mary through this partner Preben Kristensen, a friend of Frederik and the Danish actor and comedian known for his drag impersonations of Queen Margrethe.
As Mary’s fame continued to grow through her relationship with Fredrik in the early 1990s, she and Soren visited the Estee Lauder makeup counters together in suburban department stores to beat crowds and prying eyes.
Soren helped polish Mary’s appearance before her engagement and in the run-up to her and Frederik’s wedding.
He continued to provide his hair and makeup expertise throughout her royal career to date, while fronting Danish hairdressing chain STUHR.
“My life has always been colorful and changeable and hopefully will remain so for years to come,” he continued in the tribute.
‘My profession is the blood of my heart. That is why my job as Creative Director at STUHR is also the place where I will put all my energy and love for my profession in the future.’