With the news that Queen Margrethe II of Denmark is stepping down from the throne in ten days time, I thought it might be fun to look back at the wedding of Denmark’s upcoming King and Queen, which took place on May 14th, 2004.
Embed from Getty ImagesCrown Prince Frederik is the eldest son of Queen Margrethe II and Prince Henrik of Denmark. He will soon be reigning as King Frederik X. Crown Princess Mary was born Mary Donaldson, soon to be Queen Mary of Denmark. They met during the 2000 Sydney summer Olympic games that took place in Mary’s home of Australia.
The Engagement Ring:
Embed from Getty ImagesTheir engagement was official on October 8th, 2003. Mary was given a very Danish ring, with two rubies set on either side of a diamond. Red and white are of course, the colours of Denmark’s flag.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Venue:
Embed from Getty ImagesThey married at Church of Our Lady, in Copenhagen. The site has a long history and many royal events have historically taken place there.
The Dress:
Embed from Getty ImagesMary’s dress was created by the Danish designer Uffe Frank. Her veil was sentimental; it was first used by Crown Princess Margareta of Sweden, and used as well by her daughter Queen Ingrid of Denmark. Ingrid’s daughters Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, Queen Anne-Marie of Greece, and Princess Benedikte of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg also wore the veil as well as several granddaughters.
The Tiara:
Embed from Getty ImagesMary’s wedding tiara is an antique piece given to her by her new in-laws. Over the years, Mary has added a row of pearls to the base of the tiara, which I think adds a bit of substance to it. Unlike many royal ladies, Mary has worn her wedding tiara quite often since her big day. It also wasn’t the first tiara she wore! Mary wore the Danish ruby suite for her pre wedding gala.
The Bouquet:
Embed from Getty ImagesMary had a rather big bouquet. It contained roses, eucalyptus (she is Australian, after all), azaleas, rhododendron, creme lathyrus, gloriosa, and a sprig of myrtle.
The Guests:
Hold on folks, this is a long one:
Embed from Getty ImagesMary walked down the aisle with her father, Dr. John Donaldson. Her mother, Henrietta, unfortunately passed away in 1997.
Embed from Getty ImagesQueen Margrethe II and Prince Henrik obviously attended. Margrethe wore the floral aigrette tiara and one of the four garnitures that comprises the Danish crown jewels, the brilliant set. This is the earrings, necklace, and brooch she is wearing.
Embed from Getty ImagesFrederik’s younger brother, Prince Joachim and his then wife, Princess Alexandra attended. They have since divorced. Alexandra wore the Alexandrine drop tiara. Here’s a better look at her outfit:
Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty ImagesQueen Anne-Marie of Greece is the aunt of Crown Prince Frederik. She wore the Greek emerald suite.
Embed from Getty ImagesFrederik’s other aunt, Princess Benedikte, attended with her husband Prince Richard. She wore the SWB fringe tiara.
Embed from Getty ImagesFrederik’s cousin, Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece and his wife Crown Princess Marie Chantal attended with MC wearing a loaned tiara. I actually really like it, so it’s a bit of a shame that we’ll (likely) never see it again.
Embed from Getty ImagesPrincess Alexia of Greece was also there with her husband Carlos Morales. She wore her own diamond tiara.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Dutch royals are all in one photo for this one. From left to right there is Princess Laurentien wearing the base of the Dutch emerald tiara with pearl toppers, Prince Constantijn, the now Queen Máxima wearing the Dutch star tiara, King Willem-Alexander, and the now Princess Beatrix, wearing the Württemburg pearl tiara.
Embed from Getty ImagesAnd the Swedish royals are all in this photo too. From left to right, Crown Princess Victoria wearing the four button tiara, Prince Carl Philip, Princess Madeleine in her 18th birthday tiara, Queen Silvia in the Napoleonic amethyst tiara, and King Carl XVI Gustaf.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe now King and Queen of the Belgians attended. Mathilde wore the laurel wreath tiara.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe former King of the Belgians, King Albert II attended with his wife, Queen Paola in the blue, wearing Queen Elisabeth’s art deco bandeau and the base of the nine provinces tiara as a necklace. In the middle, we’ve got the then Queen of Spain, Sofía, wearing Queen Ena’s pearl tiara.
Embed from Getty ImagesAlso attending from Belgium were Princess Astrid, wearing the Savoy- Aosta tiara with her husband Prince Lorenz.
Embed from Getty ImagesAnother Belgian couple, Prince Laurent and Princess Claire. Claire wore her wedding tiara.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe now King of Spain attended with his future bride, Letizia. They weren’t married yet and so she did not wear a tiara. However, she did wear ruby brooches from the Countess of Barcelona.
Embed from Getty ImagesWe also saw Infanta Cristina of Spain and her then husband Iñaki Urdangarin. She wore the Spanish floral tiara, my personal favourite from the Spanish collection.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Spanish delegation was rounded out with Infanta Elena, wearing the Marichalar tiara. She attended with her then husband Jaime de Marichalar.
Embed from Getty ImagesHere are King Harald V of Norway and Queen Sonja. Sonja wore the very grand Norwegian emerald suite.
Embed from Getty ImagesThey attended with their son, Crown Prince Haakon and his wife Crown Princess Mette-Marit, who wore the diamond daisy bandeau.
Embed from Getty ImagesAs well as Princess Märtha Louise of Norway, and her then husband Ari Behn. She wore King Olav’s tiara.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe former Empress of Iran, Farah Pahalavi also attended.
Embed from Getty ImagesGrand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa were there, and I have to say, Maria Teresa had my favourite look from the whole event. She wore the aquamarine bandeau.
Embed from Getty ImagesPrince Ernst August of Hanover was there with his now estranged wife, Princess Caroline. She is wearing the Brunswick tiara.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Duke and Duchess of Castro were there, with the Duchess wearing the Ancona tiara.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe now Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh have always been the representatives of the British royal family when attending events. Sophie wore her wedding tiara.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Duke and Duchess of Bragança were there, with Isabel wearing the family diamond bandeau.
Embed from Getty ImagesWearing the very impressive Musy tiara was the Princess of Naples.
Embed from Getty ImagesAnd finally, the then Prince and Princess of Tarnovo. Miriam is wearing a diamond floral tiara and is now married to Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad, who is a cousin of King Abdullah II of Jordan.
Embed from Getty ImagesAlmost twenty years ago, Denmark celebrated a big royal wedding, and soon they’ll be celebrating a new King and Queen. Looking forward to royal watching with you all!
The Royalty Nerd 
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