The day began with the King and Queen jumping in the Gold Coach for the journey from Amalienborg to Christianborg Palace, escorted by the Guard Hussar Regiment’s Mounted Squadron. Upon arrival, Frederick and Mary welcomed Officers from the Defence and the Danish Emergency Management Agency, alongside a number of esteemed guests from royal patronages, and the King’s brother, Prince Joachim.
Queen Mary was dressed in her regal best for the occasion, donning her Teri Jon by Rickie Freeman gown, which is adorned with a metallic brocade design and boasts a smart shirtdress silhouette. The 53-year-old Queen wrapped up in a Joseph Kiddo coat before arriving at the Palace, sheltering from the icy Danish winter.
There was no tiara for this New Year’s gala, but Queen Mary ensured that her jewellery was still a talking point for the evening, wearing a truly historic royal heirloom for the first time. Looped around her wrist was a bracelet once belonging to Queen Lovisa, gifted to the former Swedish queen in 1868 by her fiancé, the future King Frederik VIII of Denmark, to celebrate their engagement.
The bracelet boasts eight square links of gold, each one set with a large pearl in its centre, surrounded by 16 diamonds. Despite its romantic history and stunning craftsmanship, the bracelet has rarely been seen in action. Few royal women chose to wear it for events, and the bracelet was mostly displayed at museums during exhibitions.
How fitting for Queen Mary to bring out the historic piece as she stands side by side with King Frederik, the couple having long put behind them the rumours of marital strife that dogged them throughout 2024. This month, the couple will be celebrating two years on the throne, and no doubt will look to celebrate in style.
Mary paired the bracelet with a host of heirloom jewels, including diamond earrings that once belonged to Anne of Orange and a diamond brooch that once formed the centre piece of Lovisa’s engagement bracelet.