Princess Mary’s inner circle: Team behind new Queen of Denmark
Behind every photograph, speech delivered and ribbon cut is an army of royal specialists guiding our Mary in Denmark.
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Behind every photograph, speech delivered, social media post placed and ribbon cut is an army of royal specialists guiding our Mary in Denmark.
As many as a dozen people form the Tasmanian-born royal’s inner circle. Some have been there from the day she arrived in Copenhagen. Others will join her as she embarks on her new role as queen.
And with the shock abdication of Queen Margrethe – described by Danish royal expert Trine Villemann as “a bomb that just blew up” – the then Princess Mary received some explosive news of her own.
Her longstanding hairdresser was moving on.
But there is still a loyal contingent of assistants, advisers and staffers standing by to shape her new regal household.
PHOTOGRAPHER
Steen Evald has long been Queen Mary’s go-to photographer for official portraits and private family images.
The Dane’s ability to make her feel relaxed and at ease is evident in the shots he has taken.
Mr Evald, who has regularly snapped her on royal tours and visits, has also taken portraits of Crown Prince Christian, Princess Isabella, Princess Josephine and Prince Vincent, during his two decades as the royal family’s official photographer.
SKIN CARE
Danish skincare guru Ole Henriksen met Princess Mary during her first pregnancy with eldest son Crown Prince Christian when she called on him for advice.
This sparked a long friendship and he has since advised the royal on the correct products to use and how to enhance her natural radiance.
Mr Henriksen described their initial encounter as one where he was “mesmerised by her beautiful smile and stunning sense of style”.
While he is now based in Los Angeles, his luxurious products are regularly delivered to Amalienborg Palace.
HAIRDRESSER
Shortly after Mary Donaldson met and fell in love with the then Crown Prince Frederik, she was introduced to the multi-talented hairdresser and make-up artist Soeren Hedegaard.
It was a working relationship built on fun, trust and loyalty.
In the early days, the pair would allegedly sneak out to test out makeup looks at the Estee Lauder counter in a Copenhagen department store.
The master stylist primped and prepped the stunning Mary for 23 years.
But, following the abdication announcement, Mr Hedegaard decided to step down and focus on his job as creative director at the STUHR salon.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, he wrote: “Dear friends, with the end of 2023 and with a change of throne in view, I have also chosen a change in my life.”
Mr Hedegaard said he was “passing the baton on to the next generation”.
“It has been 23 amazing and unforgettable years with memories and friendships that I will always carry in my heart,” he wrote.
His replacement has not been announced.
CLOSEST CONFIDANTS
Caroline Heering served as Queen Mary’s lady-in-waiting and private secretary for a period shortly after the royal married King Frederik X.
Over the decades, the pair’s working relationship grew and Heering is now believed to be one of Queen Mary’s closest friends and confidantes.
Ms Heering is married to one of King Frederik’s childhood friends, Peter, and the pair are godparents to Princess Isabella and Prince Vincent.
Birgitte Handwerk, the partner of one of King Frederik’s best friends, Jeppe, was one of Queen Mary’s first friends in Denmark.
They shared a common bond as they both raised young families at the same time.
Ms Handwerk is godmother to Queen Mary’s daughter, Josephine, while her partner is a godfather to Crown Prince Christian.
LADIES IN WAITING
Over the years, Queen Mary has had several ladies-in-waiting, who assist her at functions and help her organise her appointments.
For seven years, this prestigious role was held by Tanja Doky, who is said to have struck up a firm and lasting friendship with the royal.
After Ms Doky left the role, former barrister Christine Pii Hansen stepped into her shoes.
She held the role for several years before being appointed private secretary and lady-in-waiting in 2015,
In that position, she helped organise the royal’s ever-expanding work diary, accompanied her to high-profile events and assisted her during engagements.
In 2021, Ms Pii Hansen left the royal household and returned to her job as deputy head of the Department of International Law in Denmark’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
She was replaced by Henriette Ellermann-Kingombe, who previously worked in the Danish Prime Minister’s Office and the Danish Parliament. She remains in the role.
PERSONAL TRAINERS/NUTRITIONIST
Queen Mary has employed a string of personal trainers over the years to help her maintain her fitness and suave shape.
She is said to prefer a targeted exercise regimen that includes walking, jogging and horse riding.
The sporty Queen is also a fan of weights and heavy lifting, with her toned Michelle Obama-like biceps causing a stir some years back.
When it comes to her diet, she is said to be proponent of the ‘Danish diet’, a sensible eating plan that is centred on locally sourced and readily available natural foods.
It focuses less on meat and more on oily fish as well as root vegetables, nuts and fruits.
– additional reporting by Danielle Gusmaroli
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