The Queen of Denmark is celebrating her 52nd birthday today, and to honour her first big day in her new royal title, Vogue Scandinavia has gathered her best sartorial moments so far
An heir to the throne of one of the world’s oldest monarchies, Australian-born Queen Mary of Denmark became a part of the Danish royal family in 2004, when she married Queen Margrethe II’s eldest son, Crown Prince Frederik. The couple met in Sydney as part of theQqueen's itinerary of backpacking around the world.
Since then, the Queen has been very much in the spotlight, being heavily involved in humanitarian work that has developed her into a strong advocate for women’s rights, maternal health, sexual and reproductive rights in developing countries and international LGBTI+ rights, to name a few.
Fashion and its’ environmental impacts are also close to the Queen's heart. She has been spotted attending Copenhagen Fashion Week in the past, and her love for fashion is evident from her wardrobe, symbolising the effortless yet sophisticated Scandinavian style. Frequently sporting designers such as Prada, Hermès and Chanel – as well as more local design talent – the Queen’s polished looks are a lesson in elegance that perfectly reflect the idea of today’s modern royalty.
Below, we take a look back on some of the Queen of Denmark's most memorable looks to date.
Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark and the future Crown Princess of Denmark together in public for the first time in Tasmania, January 2003. Photo: Getty
Pre Wedding Royal Opera Gala in Copenhagen, 2004. Wearing a gown by Frank Uffe. Photo: Getty
Leaving the Danish Parliament in 2004 prior to their upcoming wedding in a few days. Photo: Getty
The wedding reception of Crown Prince Frederik and Mary Donaldson on May 12, 2004. Photo: Getty
The wedding of Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark, and Mary Donaldson on the 14th of May, 2004. The wedding dress was designed by Uffe Frank. Photo: Getty
Danish royal visit to Observatory Hill in Sydney, Australia in 2005. Photo: Getty
The Red Cross Gala in Canberra, Australia, 2005. Photo: Getty
Visit to Federation Square in Melbourne, Australia, 2005. Photo: Getty
Visiting the tsunami victims in Khao Lak, Thailand, 2005. Photo: Getty
At Aichi Expo in Japan attending a ceremony for the Danish National Day on April 20, 2005. Photo: Getty
Attending a fashion show at Holmen during the 25th Copenhagen International Fashion Fair in 2005. Photo: Getty
A state visit to Bulgaria in 2006. Photo: Getty
Attending a service at Roskilde Cathedral in 2006. Photo: Getty
Meeting the President of Brazil at Copenhagen Airport in 2007. Photo: Getty
About to go on a summer cruise on the royal yacht in 2008. Photo: Getty
Attending the Danish Royal Life Guards Dinner in 2008. Photo: Getty
Attending the 75th birthday celebrations of Prince Henrik of Denmark in 2009. Photo: Getty
Attending a gala for the celebrations of Queen Margrethe II's 70th birthday in 2010. Photo: Getty
Attending the wedding of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Daniel Westling in 2010. Photo: Getty
At the Crown Prince and Princess' summer tour in 2011. Photo: Getty
Visiting Melbourne, Australia in 2011. Photo: Getty
At the wedding of Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg and Stephanie de Lannoy in 2012. Photo: Getty
Attending the inauguration of King Wilhelm Alexander in Netherlands, 2013. Photo: Getty
Attending the wedding of Princess Madeleine of Sweden and Christopher O'Neill in 2013. . Photo: Getty
Attending a photocall at Chateau De Cayx, France, 2014. Photo: Getty
At Bambi awards in Berlin, 2014. Photo: Getty
Greeting the arriving Dutch King & Queen in Copenhagen, 2015. Photo: Getty
In Paris in 2019. Photo: Getty
In Paris in 2019. Photo: Getty
In Paris in 2019. Photo: Getty
Visit at the European Hospital "Georges Pompidou" in Paris, 2019. Photo: Getty
At a wreath laying ceremony in Warsaw, Poland, 2019. Photo: Getty
Attending an opening of a language centre in Copenhagen, 2021. Photo: Getty
Donning a coat dress by Claes Iversen in Latvia in 2018 and in Copenhagen in 2022. Photo: Getty
At Copenhagen Fashion Week for spring/summer 2019. Photo: Getty
Attending the Copenhagen zoo opening with her children on her 50th birthday week in 2022. Photo: Getty
Crown Princess Mary attends a reception at the end of her two day visit to the Netherlands on June 21, 2022. She is wearing a Beulah dress with Chanel slingback shoes. . Photo: Getty Images
Catherine, Princess of Wales and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark visit the Dinner Crisis Centre on February 23, 2022. She is wearing a white boucle coat with Gianvito Rossi pumps. . Photo: Getty Images
Crown Princess Mary attends an official dinner in conjunction with the opening of the new National Museum on June 10, 2022. She is wearing a floor-length pink dress with a Dolce and Gabbana leather crystal belt and Bottega Veneta clutch. . Photo: Getty Images
Crown Princess Mary and Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark at Christiansborg palace for a gala dinner on September 10, 2022. The princess is wearing a Jesper Hovring dress with royal ruby jewels and tiara, previously belonging to Queen Ingrid. . Photo: Getty Images
Crown Princess Mary arriving at the official opening of the Cancer Society’s visitor centre on January 12, 2023. She is wearing a Mark Kenley Domino Tan jacket and skirt with Prada knee boots. . Photo: Getty Images
Crown Princess Mary and Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark arrive at Queen Margrethe of Denmark’s New Year’s levee and banquet at Amalienborg Royal Palace on January 1, 2023. The princess is wearing a Lasse Spangenberg gown with royal jewels. . Photo: Getty Images
For her first outing after the shock abdication of Queen Margrethe II, the Queen-to-be wore a regal burgundy velvet outfit with a jewellery Order of the Elephant necklance and ornate heirloom Danish Ruby Parure tiara .
A custom white ensemble by Danish designer Søren Le Schmidt was the Queen's choice for her proclamation. Photo: Getty Images
Stepping out for the first time as Queen, Mary wore a navy look with a plumage-embellished hate and the pearl-and-sapphire Connaught brooch, inherited by Queen Ingrid of Denmark. Photo: Getty