King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark have shared a rare glimpse into their palatial home – ten years after the famous couple renovated it to their specific taste.
And according to Danish stylist Jacob Holst Mouritzen, the single photo reveals much more about the couple and their lives than most would think.
At first glance, the image is quite ordinary – showing the newly appointed king on the bench with David Lappartient, president of the International Cycling Union, looking relaxed in the company of the royal family.
But, says Holst Mouritzen, the details in the photo are important and should not be obscured.
The first, the curtains, prove the ‘royal’ or wealthy character of the family, but can easily be glossed over by the average royal observer.
King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark have shared a rare glimpse into their palatial home – ten years after the famous couple renovated it to their specific taste.
‘The curtains with the classic clunkers. If you have it, then you are either a royal or a noble upper class – or you want to (express) that. You can’t afford that unless you are a very special person,” he told Danish publication BT
The second characteristic proves that the newly appointed royals are ‘modern’, something they have worked to demonstrate since taking over from the former queen.
“This dusty pink velvet ottoman is very modern, and has been that way for a few seasons,” Mouritzen said, adding that “dusty pink” is just the right color.
The other details are even more subtle, but were immediately noticeable to the connoisseur.
The first is the alarm system in the corner of the room, which has been painted to match the wall, rather than just sitting ‘awkward and ugly’ in the corner.
He said this is something that very few people do and it shows the Queen’s attention to detail.
Pictured: King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark – the royal couple played a very active role in renovating their home ten years ago
He then mentioned the books, claiming that they would not have been chosen by a PR team, but rather would reflect the couple’s true interests: art and horses.
The books include an art book by the Belgian Luc Tuymans and a book entitled ‘Horses of Qatar’.
“Most Danes have no idea about horse breeding in Qatar, they only know that Qatar is something bad, with poor human rights and dead guest workers during the World Cup,” he said.
Queen Mary is known to be passionate about equestrian sports.
Mouritzen added that if the ottoman had been dressed – and photographed – for the occasion, it would have contained books about Denmark or Danes.
The art book, he explained, is more appropriate for a royal family because it has “themes of good and evil, God and history.”
Other details include the couple’s modern lamp vase, a luxurious Georg Jensen bowl and a pink water jug by Anna von Lipa, which costs AUD$163 (€95).