Queen Mary of Denmark has been given access to the royal family‘s crown jewels for the first time as she posed for her first official portrait alongside the King.
The Australian-born royal has never had access to the prized jewels before with most being kept under lock and key in the basement of Rosenborg Castle.
But that’s all changed since she became Queen.
Posing alongside her husband King Frederik, the royal was sparkling in the heirloom emerald set which is said to be the ‘most complete’ of the crown jewels and is exclusively reserved for the Queen.
The extravagant set is made up of a matching tiara, necklace and earrings which is in keeping with the fashionable monarch’s coordinated style.
Queen Mary of Denmark donned the Danish palace’s emerald set for the first time in her debut royal portrait as Queen consort. The set is only ever worn by the queen
The extravagant set, which is usually on display in Rosenborg Castle, is made up of a matching tiara, necklace and earrings which is in keeping with the monarch’s coordinated style
It also includes a brooch that can be divided into three separate parts but Queen Mary chose a traditional pin with a portrait of Frederik made especially for her.
She paired the crown jewels with a deep green velvet and lace gown custom-designed by Copenhagen designer Birgit Hallstein who has dressed the royal on many occasions.
Royal enthusiasts were abuzz about the new images with many saying Queen Mary looked ‘powerful’ and ‘stunningly regal’ and is ‘doing Australia proud’.
‘I can’t help but think of the young girl from Taroona who would never have dreamt of this moment! She looks every inch a Queen, and as a fellow Tasmanian, I feel so proud of her. And I’m sure Frederik does too. Magnificent photo!’ one woman said.
‘Queen Mary of Denmark and Australia,’ another remarked.
‘Mary is so elegant; she’s done her native Australia proud,’ someone added.
However, not everyone was convinced the dress was the best choice to show off the incredible jewels.
‘She looks fabulous. Though her necklace disappears in that lace-top gown,’ one fashion lover pointed out.
The Australian-born Queen sparkled as she wore crown jewel emerald set for the first time but she left one piece out to make room for a miniature portrait of the King
‘Mary looks beautiful, but the dress is not a good choice for displaying the jewels,’ a second said while a third thought the combination looked too ‘busy’.
She wore the emerald set without its matching brooch to instead make room for something far more sentimental and traditional – a miniature portrait of her husband in a bow of Order of Dannebrog ribbon created by British artist Tom Mulliner just for her.
Traditionally, females of the Danish royal family wear the portrait of the sovereign. Queen Mary used to display a similar portrait of Queen Margrethe before she ascended the throne in January.
The portrait is set inside a family heirloom, a gold frame with diamonds, that Margrethe wore with a picture of her father Frederik IX, from 1972 until her succession.
The monarchs stood side by side facing forward to put on a united front as rumours swirl around the stability of their marriage.
King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark stood side by side facing forward to put on a united front for their latest royal portrait
Mary was stood behind or facing Frederick in the previous two official portrait. The progression signifies Mary’s rise to prominence as she takes on more duties as Queen Consort
Previous royal portraits show Queen Mary posing slightly behind or turning to face her husband giving him prominence but this time their authoritative stance showing they are on equal footing.
Days before King Frederik ascended the throne, the palace released a portrait of the couple showing Mary at her husband’s side gently embracing his arm and she was angled towards him and he was facing forward.
After his ascension, the next official portrait showed the mum-of-four standing just behind the king’s left side as the pair faced slightly toward each other.
The latest snap signifies Mary’s rise to prominence as she takes on more duties as Queen Consort.
