Portrait of Princess Isabella taken by her mother Queen Mary stirs debate

An official portrait of Princess Isabella, taken by her Australian mother Queen Mary, is causing a stir because of the inclusion of an unexpected item.

An official gala portrait of Princess Isabella of Denmark taken to mark her 18th birthday has caused quiet a stir because of the inclusion of an unexpected item.

Her Royal Highness is photographed in the Knight’s Hall of Frederick VIII’s Palace in Amalienborg wearing a bright orange ball gown and sparkling tiara with the Order of the Elephant with a star chest, a turquoise and diamond diadem and a miniature order portrait of her father, King Frederik.

But it’s the break with royal protocol which has stunned royal watchers, with the smiling royal apperaring in one photo taken by her Australian mother Queen Mary holding her iPhone.

“Thank you so much to everyone who helped me celebrate my 18th birthday,” the princess, who is second in line to the throne after her brother Crown Prince Christian, said in the photo’s caption.

“So many people have spent their time, thought and effort to make my day so special. This means a lot to me.”

Princess Isabella of Denmark holds her iPhone in on of the official gala portraits to mark her 18th birthday. Picture: Steen Evald, Kongehuset

Reaction to the portrait has been mixed..

One commentator said: “Love everything about it. The big, beautiful smile, the fantastic dress and all the jewellery – and then a typical teenager’s indispensable companion: an iPhone.”

Another social media user agreed: “Such a good picture, a princess and ordinary teenager with the mobile in hand, real smile and so much the eyes shine in a mega beautiful and dazzling dress.”

But not everyone was impressed with some labelling the picture “depressing”.

“This is bizarre …. Can’t decide if it’s pro or anti modern phone addiction. Is this ‘the ultimate modern princess’ (Isabella of Denmark) or a depressing indictment on modern culture…?, said an X user.

Princess Isabella wears the Order of the Elephant with a star chest. Picture: Steen Evald, Kongehuset

Isabella is second in line to the throne. Picture: Steen Evald, Kongehuset

A royal commentator posted on X: “Some have hailed the photo of #PrincessIsabella of #Denmark posing with her #smartphone #mobile #mobile phone #cellphone as a modern touch but I couldn’t disagree more.”

In another interesting new detail for royal watchers, the Danish Royal House later issued a statement confirming that former monarch Queen Margrethe II gifted her granddaughter the turquoise daisy bandeau diadem as an 18th birthday gift.

Queen Margrethe II gifted her granddaughter the turquoise daisy bandeau diadem as an 18th birthday gift. Picture: Steen Evald, Kongehuset

The statement from the royal household explained: “The tiara is a so-called ‘bandeau’, a headband in French, as the relatively narrow tiara is intended to be worn almost horizontally as a hair band.”

The floral headpiece is made of gold and adorned with 11 rosettes of ‘daisy-like flowers’ that decrease in size.

Originally published as Portrait of Princess Isabella taken by her mother Queen Mary stirs debate