Queen Mary of Denmark was given access to the royal family’s crown jewels for the first time as she posed next to the king for her first official portrait.
The Australian-born royal family has never had access to the precious jewels, most of which are kept under lock and key in the basement of Rosenborg Castle.
But all that has changed since she became queen.
Posing next to her husband, King Frederick, the royal dazzled in the emerald heirloom set, which is said to be the ‘most complete’ Crown Jewels and reserved exclusively for the Queen.
The extravagant set consists of a matching tiara, necklace and earrings, matching the matching style of the fashionable monarch.
Queen Mary of Denmark first wore the Danish Palace’s emerald green set in her royal debut as queen consort. The set is worn only by the Queen
The extravagant set, usually on display at Rosenborg Castle, includes a matching tiara, necklace and earrings, in keeping with the monarch’s coordinated style.
It also includes a brooch that can be divided into three separate parts, but Queen Mary opted for a traditional pin with a portrait of Frederick made especially for her.
She paired the crown jewels with a deep green velvet and lace dress, custom designed by Copenhagen designer Birgit Hallstein, who has dressed the royal family on many occasions.
Royal enthusiasts raved about the new images, with many saying Queen Mary looked “powerful” and “stunningly regal” and “makes Australia proud”.
‘I think of the young girl from Taroona who could never have dreamed of this moment! She looks every bit a queen, and as a fellow Tasmanian I am so proud of her. And I’m sure Frederik does too. Beautiful photo!’ said a woman.
“Queen Mary of Denmark and Australia,” another commented.
‘Mary is so elegant; she has made her native Australia proud,” one person added.
However, not everyone was convinced that the dress was the best choice to show off the incredible jewelry.
‘She looks fantastic. Although her necklace disappears in that dress with the lace top,” one fashion enthusiast commented.
The Australian-born queen dazzled as she wore an emerald crown jewel for the first time, but she left out one piece to make room for a miniature portrait of the king
“Mary looks beautiful but the dress isn’t a good choice to display the jewels,” said a second, while a third thought the combination looked too ‘busy’.
She wore the emerald green set without the matching brooch to make way for something much more sentimental and traditional: a miniature portrait of her husband with an Order of Dannebrog ribbon bow, made especially for her by British artist Tom Mulliner.
Traditionally, women of the Danish royal family wear the portrait of the sovereign. Queen Mary displayed a similar portrait of Queen Margrethe before she took the throne in January.
The portrait is placed in a family heirloom, a gold frame with diamonds, which Margrethe wore with a photo of her father Frederick IX, from 1972 until her succession.
The monarchs stood side by side and faced forward to present a united front as rumors spread about the stability of their marriage.
King Frederick and Queen Mary of Denmark stood side by side, facing forward, to form a united front for their latest royal portrait
In the previous two official portraits, Mary stood behind or opposite Frederick. The progression means that Mary will gain prominence as she takes on more duties as Queen Consort
Previous royal portraits show Queen Mary posing slightly behind her husband or turning towards her, giving him a prominent presence, but this time their authoritative stance shows they are on equal footing.
Days before King Frederick ascended the throne, the palace released a portrait of the couple, showing Mary next to her husband, gently embracing his arm, she was leaning towards him and he was looking forward.
After his ascension, the next official portrait showed the mother of four standing just behind the left side of the king, with the couple looking slightly towards each other.
The final photo marks Mary’s rise to prominence as she takes on more duties as Queen Consort.