Queen Mary has joined her mother-in-law Queen Margrethe II for a rare joint engagement, marking only the second time they have worked together without the support of the Danish royal family’s other members.
The two queens visited the white chalk cliffs of Møns Klint, on the island of Møns, on Monday.
The area, just two hours north of Copenhagen, is famed for its white cliffs, fossil-rich beaches, rare wildlife, and sweeping views of the Baltic Sea.
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Queen Mary of Denmark and Queen Margrethe II at the famous white chalk cliffs of Møns Klint on Monday. (The Danish Royal House)
In July, Møns Klint was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, making it the ninth UNESCO World Heritage Site in Denmark.
Queen Margrethe is the patron of GeoCenter Møns Klint, a science lab which works to preserve area’s geology, natural history and biodiversity.
She and Queen Mary visited an exhibition at the centre before walking to the white cliffs to pose for photographs.
Queen Margrethe II and her daughter-in-law carried out their second joint royal engagement since Mary married into the Danish royal family in 2004. (Getty)
But they only had a few minutes to do so before a storm rolled in, drenching everyone nearby – thankfully, the queens made it to shelter in time.
The close bond between Queen Mary and Queen Margrethe was on show throughout the day, including when Mary offered her arm to help her mother-in-law, who uses a walking stick, climb the steep hill near the clifftop.
Since King Frederik acceded the throne after his mother on January 14, 2024, Queen Margrethe has joined the royal family at key events on the calendar including on birthdays, at Christmas and during the recent summer break at Graasten Palace.
The two queens both have a keen interest in natural history and protecting the environment. (Getty)
Monday’s events marked Margrethe and Queen Mary’s first joint engagement since the abdication.
It was also the first time the two women had paired up since an event on March 20 2018, at the Danish Handcraft Guild.
Royal correspondent for Danish magazine BILLED-BLADET said their joint outing was a deliberate move.
“Queen Mary and Queen Margrethe send a strong signal of unity in the royal family,” Singer told the publication.
“The queens each have their own court with their own patronages and interests, and it is not often that they are at work together.”
Queen Margrethe’s inclusion was only natural due to her long-held patronage of the GeoCenter Møns Klint, Singer said.
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She added: “Queen Mary also has a natural interest in the visit, as since the accession to the throne she has shown an increasing interest in Danish nature and nature conservation as well as biodiversity – both professionally and privately”.
In Margrethe’s New Year’s Eve speech announcing her intention to abdicate the Danish throne, she said the back surgery she underwent in early 2023 led to “thoughts about the future” and when to pass on the responsibilities of the crown to her son.
Queen Mary pictured on Monday in Møns Klint, north of Copenhagen. (Getty)
“I have decided that now is the right time,” she said.
In that speech Margrethe revealed that Mary, who was then Crown Princess, would be known as queen following the change of throne.
Margrethe II retains her title as Queen and continues to be addresses as Her Majesty.
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