On October 8, King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark hosted their first official state visit since Queen Margrethe II’s abdication. A year after Frederik’s rumored affair with Mexican socialite Genoveva Casanova, the Danish royals projected an image of stability, reinforced by Mary’s choice of attire: a striking navy-blue gown she has worn three times, each iteration subtly updated to remain fresh and relevant.
This dedication to reimagining her wardrobe underscores her commitment to both style and sustainability. It also shows why the Australian is still a master of spinning public opinion in her favour, using the most subtle of methods.
In an era when European monarchies are under growing scrutiny for their extravagance and relevance, Queen Mary of Denmark is deftly redefining through fashion what it means to be a modern – dare I say, budget-friendly – royal.
And with every adroitly recycled outfit, she secures a quiet public relations victory.
Mary’s dress, created by Danish designer Jesper Høvring, debuted in 2014 as a floor-length gown with intricate embellishments. A decade later, it reappeared with a tiered skirt, giving it a contemporary twist.
In 2016, the same dress featured the original skirt but was styled with a velvet boat-neck bodice for a different silhouette entirely. These reimaginings exemplify her ethos of timeless elegance over fleeting trends.
Since marrying into the Danish royal family in 2004, Queen Mary has cultivated a reputation as one of the world’s most fashionable royals. And much of her appeal lies in her ability to balance grandeur with eco-consciousness, reworking key pieces in ways that feel both classic and fresh.
In 2012, for instance, she updated a Birgit Hallstein dress from 2007, swapping its empire waist and square neckline for a refined boat-neck design that elevated its elegance.
The first outing of this navy-blue dress, created by Danish designer Jesper Høvring, in 2014
The embellished, asymmetrical bodice was swapped out for a grander silhouette in 2016 (left). For the latest evolution of this dress, in 2024 (right), the overall impression is of classic glamour, while the shape of the skirt gives a unique twist: perfect for a modern monarch
Her creativity isn’t limited to couture. One of her most noteworthy looks is a green brocade skirt ingeniously refashioned from an H&M Conscious Collection dress. Retailing at just AU$295 (GBP£150), but sadly no longer available, the piece has been worn on four public occasions, proving her knack for merging high-street affordability with regal sophistication.
This commitment to sustainability isn’t just sartorial. Mary serves as a patron for numerous environmental charities and conferences on eco-friendly fashion, embodying the very ideals she promotes.
Her efforts have made her the most popular member of the Danish royal family, boasting an impressive 89 per cent approval rating.
As the royal families of Europe face mounting pressure to justify their existence to the taxpayers who fund them, Queen Mary’s approach feels particularly relevant in an era of public austerity.
Worn twice during her pregnancy with Princess Isabella in 2007, this Birgit Hallstein dress features an empire waist and square neckline, giving her a girlish yet slightly old-fashioned look. In 2012, she debuted a new iteration, reconfigured with a boat neckline, creating an elevated impression. She has since worn the altered dress multiple times and in several different colours
In 2013, Mary’s Julie Fagerholt dress featured a fully embroidered bodice and a coordinating jacket. In 2017, the stuffy jacket is nowhere to be seen, and the upper part of the dress has been replaced by long-sleeved example of simple sophistication
Her creativity doesn’t just extend to ballgowns; Mary has been seen on four separate occasions wearing a stunning green brocade skirt, ingeniously refashioned from an H&M Conscious Collection dress, which retailed for AU$295 (GBP£150) but is sadly no longer available
This floor-length Ralph Lauren dress was first seen in 2010 at the pre-wedding dinner of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Prince Daniel
Mary, alongside Frederik, is seen here wearing the same dress with the couple in 2019, nearly a decade later; Mary’s dress, updated with a raised hem, is a touching reference to their wedding
Her thoughtful style choices and her willingness to reimagine rather than replace symbolises a shift away from excess toward a more purposeful, modern monarchy.
It’s a model that resonates with both tradition and the future, blending national pride with a sense of global responsibility.
By embracing this ethos, Mary has not only bolstered her family’s popularity in the aftermath of her husband’s ‘affair’ scandal, but also offered a template for how royalty can remain relevant in changing times.
Who would have thought a cleverly reinvented gown could carry such weight?
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Publish date : 2024-11-27 16:22:00
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