The first official portrait of King Frederik X and Queen Mary of Denmark has been unveiled, the Royal House announced on Thursday. The country’s reigning monarchs acceded to the throne in January after King Frederik’s mother, Margrethe II, abdicated.
“The portrait can henceforth be seen hung in, among other places, state institutions, including at Danish embassies and consulates around the world and on Danish vessels,” read a statement from Denmark’s Royal House.
Queen Mary and King Frederik X of Denmark.
Steen Evald
In new photographs by Steen Evald, Queen Mary wears a velvet emerald green gown with lacework along the neckline and sleeves. Its hue matches with the Danish crown jewels, which she wore for the first time in the portrait.
Queen Mary of Denmark.
Steen Evald
The suite comprises a tiara, necklace and earrings set with diamonds and emeralds. It’s one of four jewelry sets at the disposal of The Queen of Denmark. The crown jewels are typically on display at Rosenborg Castle in Copenhagen. Designed by jeweler C.M. Weisshaupt, they were gifted to Queen Caroline Amalie by Christian VIII sometime around 1840.
Mary’s gown seemingly referenced her mother-in-law Margrethe’s emerald lace gown, which she wore with the crown jewels at a banquet in honor of Spanish royals King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia in 2023. Margrethe ascended to the throne in 1972, alongside her husband, Prince Henrik of Denmark, who passed away in 2018.
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark at a banquet celebrating Spain’s royal couple in Copenhagen in 2023.
Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Ima
King Frederik X wears the traditional naval uniform of Denmark, which is accessorized with an elephant hanging on a chain. It was likely created in 1671 for the anointing of Christian V in Frederiksborg Castle Church, while the chain was first made in 1693. Tradition mandates that the monarch wear the elephant on special occasions. The motif represents the highest-ranking Danish honor, the Order of the Elephant.
King Frederik X of Denmark.
Steen Evald
The king also wears the Order of the Elephant’s breast star from around 1770, which was made for Frederick VI.
Both pieces are ordinarily displayed together with the king’s regalia — including the crown, scepter, orb, coronation sword and anointing ampulla — at Rosenborg Castle.
