Queen Mary was a vision of regal elegance on 14 March as she attended a state banquet at Government House in Canberra, Australia, amid her and King Frederik‘s tour of her native country.
The royal, 54, looked straight from a fairytale in a duck egg blue asymmetrical gown from Jesper Hovring, but it was her choice of headwear that caught our attention. While it is customary for queens to wear tiaras during state banquets, Mary opted for a more understated jewel.
© Alamy Stock PhotoQueen Mary wore a brooch as a hair accessory to the state banquet at Government House in Canberra
She pinned the ‘Copenhagen Leaf Brooch’ by Ole Lynggaard into her hair, which has recently been cut shorter, so it sits just below the shoulders. The brooch retails for £10,700 and was crafted from 18-carat gold and 71 diamonds.
Her shorter hair was parted to one side to allow for the beautiful brooch to take centre stage, and Mary pushed her locks behind her ear to showcase her ‘Winter Frost Earrings’ by the same designer.
Why did Queen Mary not wear a tiara?
© GettyMary often wears tiaras for state banquets held in Denmark
The decision for Queen Mary not to wear a tiara to the Australian state banquet has not been formally addressed, but HELLO!’s Acting Online Royal Correspondent, Eleanor Dye, says: “Royal state banquets can often be an opportunity to see members of the royal family wearing tiaras, jewels, and ballgowns. The more important and formal an event is, the more likely you are to see a tiara, especially if it’s white tie.
© GettyQueen Mary failed to wear a state banquet during the French state visit
“However, protocol is not set in stone, and perhaps Queen Mary wanted a more casual look for returning to her home country for a meaningful visit with King Frederik. Her Ole Lynggaard brooch is still an important heirloom, so she may have wanted to switch things up for her return to her homeland. Notably, she omitted a tiara from her look at a French state banquet last March, so it’s far from a strict rule she abides by when travelling overseas.”
An eye for detail
© Alamy Stock PhotoKing Frederik X and Queen Mary attended a state banquet at Government House in Canberra, Australia on Sunday
Adding to the ethereal quality of the royal’s look was the gold detailing on her gown. The intricate embroidered flowers climbed over the bodice and down the cascading long sleeve. Meanwhile, the billowing skirt complemented the romantic feel.
© Alamy Stock PhotoQueen Mary was accessorised to perfection
She also previously wore the gown in 2024 at the wedding of Crown Prince Hussein and Princess Rajwa of Jordan. Adding the finishing touches to her look on this occasion, Mary slipped on Gianvito Rossi’s ‘Gianvito 105 Pumps’, as identified by Queen Mary’s Closet on Instagram, as well as Judith Leiber’s ‘Snakeskin Box Clutch’ and Queen Lovisa’s wedding bracelet from the royal archive, which dates back to the 1800s.
Go big or go home
© POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesQueen Mary wore another bold headpiece at Government House in Canberra
Extravagant headwear has become a sartorial theme of Mary’s trip to her native Australia, as on 15 March, she spoke at Government House while wearing a Claes Iversen floral dress and a floral fascinator with netted detailing.