Cheers filled the air as Denmark’s King Frederik X and Queen Mary waved to well-wishers from the balcony of Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen for the first time in their new roles.
It was clearly an emotional moment, with the monarch blinking back tears before sharing a tender kiss with his wife.
Smiling proudly as they stood side by side, with Frederik wearing his full-dress navy uniform and Mary regal in a white dress designed by Soeren Le Schmidt and sewn by Birgit Hallstein, the couple evoked memories of their wedding day almost 20 years ago.
However, this time they were with their children: Crown Prince Christian, 18, Princess Isabella, 16 and 13-year-old twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine.
A ‘REAL STAR’
“The balcony scene was very moving,” Belgian royal reporter Wim Dehandschutteer, who was reporting from the palace, tells HELLO!.. “People were very enthusiastic when Frederik entered the balcony, but it was insane when Queen Mary joined him.
“I always knew that she was probably the most popular member of the royal family, but it was then that I realised she was the real star of the Danish monarchy.
“And, of course, when they kissed, everybody went crazy. It was spontaneous. They didn’t plan it. Mary took the initiative when people were shouting for them to kiss.”
Joe Little, managing editor of Majesty magazine, tells us: “During the procession, there were no barriers, not much police presence. It was laid-back but orderly. It’s very different to our royal events.”
Australian-born Mary’s relaxed style has already won her a firm place in the hearts of the Danish people and, while her life has changed with her new role, that down-to-earth attitude is expected to remain.
Juliet Rieden, editor at large of The Australian Women’s Weekly,, who knows Mary well, is certain she will keep some aspects of her life the same.
