Huge change as Queen Mary, Prince Frederik break royal tradition

Queen Mary and King Frederik have dropped a major hint about the state of their marriage with a bold move.

Queen Mary and King Frederik of Denmark are again breaking with tradition in a show of unity, with their use of a joint royal portrait.

Traditionally, guests at Danish embassies the world over have been greeted by solo portraits of Danish monarchs.

However, the Australian-born royal and her husband have opted to instead have a joint portrait, taken by long-time Danish royal photographer Steen Evald in 2024, used for official purposes.

Queen Mary and King Frederik in the joint portrait that now hangs in Danish embassies around the world. Picture: Steen Evald

The stunning image, which is housed in a frame made up of smoked Danish oak slats topped by a gold-coated Christian the fifth crown, is the first thing that greets visitors when they enter a Danish embassy.

This, many believe, highlights the equality in their partnership and proves that Frederik wants to be a co-leader with his wife.

It is in stark contrast to the image projected by his mother, Queen Margrethe, whose husband, the late Prince Henrik, remained largely in the background.

The royal couple’s marriage appears stronger than ever. Picture: Dennis Stenild, Kongehuset

Fie West Madsen, a royal editor at Danish tabloid BT, told the Daily Mail the change showed King Frederik viewed his wife as an equal partner, something that the monarch made clear in his book, The King’s Word.

“[He said] that he and Mary want to be a royal couple and do things together — and he really meant it,” she said.

“Even though King Frederik is the regent, such a combined portrait really signals that we have two equal partners in the royal couple.”

It comes after a turbulent few years for the Danish royals, during which Queen Margrehte shocked the world by abdicating amid allegations Queen Mary’s marriage was troubled.

The sudden abdication of Queen Margrethe led to speculation that the former monarch stepped down in a move to save her son’s marriage and secure the future of the monarchy.

Since they have been crowned, the couple, who share four children, have put on a strong show of unity, with numerous loved-up displays, to the delight of the Danish people.

Originally published as Huge change as Queen Mary, Prince Frederik break royal tradition