Queen Mary, King Frederik break major royal tradition: ‘Never been done’

The Aussie-born Queen and her husband have sent a strong message with their latest decision, just over a year after taking the throne.

IN LONDON

A little over a year into their reign, Denmark’s King Frederik X and Queen Mary have once again made it clear they’re doing it their own way.

Traditionally, royal portraits are taken separately and hung in separate frames at the Danish embassy – but in a strong show of unity, the Australian-born royal and her husband have opted to instead appear in a joint picture.

The first official gala portrait of King Frederik X and Queen Mary of Denmark. Picture: Steen Evald

While no official reason has been given, the royal editor for Danish tabloid BT suggested it confirms that the King is determined to highlight their roles as co-leaders, as he wrote in his book last year, The King’s Word.

“[He wrote] that he and Mary want to be a royal couple and do things together – and he really meant it,” journalist Fie West Madsen pointed out in her article.

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

The royal couple have put on a united front. Picture: John MacDougall/AFP

Frederik officially ascended the Danish throne on January 14 last year, after his mother, Queen Margrethe, abdicated and thus ended her 52-year reign.

A short time later, the King’s book, which was co-authored by royal biographer Jens Anderson, was released, revealing a surprising amount of personal details about the new monarch.

“I love marriage, my wife, our children and the whole happy base that arises for the people who manage to stay together and persevere,” Frederik wrote, in what many speculated was a thinly-veiled reference to speculation around that time of his infidelity.

He described Mary as his “partner and wing woman” and praised their “super dynamic”.

Originally published as Queen Mary, King Frederik break major royal tradition: ‘Never been done’