A thunderous applause echoed through the air as the newly crowned Queen Mary and King Frederik of Denmark made their appearance on the balcony at Copenhagen’s Christiansborg Palace today, graciously waving to the tens of thousands gathered below. A fortnight ago, on New Year’s Eve, Queen Margrethe II declared her abdication, passing the throne to Frederik, making Mary the new Queen of Denmark—the first Australian-born woman in history to ascend to the sovereign role of a nation.
Waving in response to the canon salute from the crowds, King Frederik and Queen Mary epitomised regal elegance: King Frederik was adorned in regal regalia with a uniform embellished with medallions and a sash, while Queen Mary of Denmark wore a draped long-sleeved white dress designed by Søren Le Schmidt, a renowned Danish designer.
“I was very honoured, happy, proud, and not least grateful to be asked to design this particular dress,” Le Schmidt told Vogue Scandinavia. “The first dress that Queen Mary would wear under her new title as Queen—a dress for the history books—means a great deal. I am very moved.”
