Hail our Queen Mary
Crown Princess Mary has taken centre stage in her first public appearance with her husband after it was announced they would become the new rulers of Denmark.
The Australian-born royal looked stunningly regal in a maroon velvet gown, ornate tiara and priceless jewels at the annual New Year’s Banquet, held at Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen.
Offering a glimpse of the type of spectacular jewellery she could possibly don for her proclamation ceremony on January 14, Mary beamed as she joined senior royals for the traditional lavish dinner.
The soon-to-be Queen of Denmark wore a gown by Danish designer Birgit Hallstein and a sparkling tiara that was originally commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1804 for the Queen of Sweden, whose daughter later married into the Danish royal family.
Mary also paid tribute to her mother-in-law, Queen
Margrethe, whose shock abdication at the age of 83 has elevated the Tasmanian-born Princess and husband Crown Prince Frederik to the throne.
Mary’s brooch featured a diamond-framed portrait of Queen Margrethe and a white and red ribbon bow.
Frederik, who will be known as King Frederik X when he is crowned, was in full regal dress.
The royal couple will be proclaimed King and Queen in a low-key ceremony that will be worlds apart from the taxpayer-funded extravaganzas of the British royal family.
The abdication comes after a tumultuous period for the Danish monarchy, which just weeks ago was rocked by allegations of a cheating scandal involving Frederik.
Photos of Frederik spending time in Madrid with Genoveva Casanova prompted the Mexican socialite to threaten legal action as she denied any romantic relationship with him.