Queen Mary of Denmark is one of the most stylish women in royalty today.
She balances a mix of classic and modern styles. However, even she has had some fashion missteps.
One of the most talked-about is her wedding dress from her marriage to Prince Frederik of Denmark.
Mary of Denmark’s Wedding Dress
In a 2018 poll about the most beautiful royal wedding dresses, Mary’s dress ranked 16th out of 17, showing that many people found it less than flattering.
On May 14, 2004, the people of Denmark eagerly awaited a glimpse of the dress their future queen would wear.
When Mary appeared in a pearl-colored satin gown by Danish designer Uffe Frank, Armani’s disciple, the reaction was mixed.
The dress featured medieval-style three-quarter sleeves, an off-the-shoulder neckline, and a full skirt with white satin pleats.
Despite Mary’s elegance, many media outlets, even conservative ones, criticized the design.
While Mary’s dress is often remembered as a less favorable choice, there’s an interesting story behind it.
Danish media revealed that Queen Margrethe, known for her unique taste, helped Mary choose the dress and convinced her to wear it.
As a newcomer to royal life, Mary took her future mother-in-law’s advice.
At first, Queen Margrethe didn’t particularly like Mary. Although Mary is now well-liked by her royal family, her early relationship with Margrethe was strained.
Some believe that Margrethe’s involvement in the dress selection was a personal dig at her future daughter-in-law.
Over time, however, the relationship between Mary and Margrethe improved significantly, and they are now seen as having a close bond.
How Frederick and Mary met
Mary and Frederik met at the Slip Inn pub in Sydney during the 2000 Olympics.
Frederik was out with his brother Joachim and the princes of Greece and Norway, while Mary was there with friends.
They exchanged numbers after chatting for a while, and Mary later admitted she didn’t initially know they were royalty: “I didn’t know who they were. About half an hour later, a friend told me they were princes.”
Frederik was smitten with Mary and visited Australia four times to see her.
By late 2002, their relationship became more serious, and Mary moved to Denmark to learn the language and culture.
After several months and getting Queen Margrethe’s approval, their engagement was announced in October 2003.
At the announcement, an emotional Frederik introduced Mary, who showed off her engagement ring with two rubies and a white diamond, representing the colors of the Danish flag.
On May 14, 2004, Frederik and Mary married in Copenhagen’s cathedral, watched by royals and excited Danes. The media called it a fairy-tale wedding.
Danish Royal Family
Upon marrying the heir to the throne, Mary became a Danish citizen, switched from Presbyterian to Lutheran, and received the titles of Princess Mary of Denmark and Countess of Monpezat.
A few months after their wedding, it was announced that the couple was expecting their first child in October 2005. Their first son, Christian Valdemar Henri John, was born on October 15, 2005, and is second in line to the throne.
In April 2007, their daughter Isabella Henrietta Ingrid Margrethe was born.
Not stopping at two children, the couple welcomed twins Vincent Frederik Minik Alexander and Josephine Sophia Ivalo Mathilda in January 2011.