From romantic dresses to statement headpieces and a dazzling gala gown

The official tour of Australia by Queen Mary of Denmark and King Frederik X of Denmark continues with a packed schedule of institutional engagements and several fashion moments worthy of closer inspection.

For Mary, the trip also carries deep personal significance. Not only is it her first visit to the country since she became queen in 2024, but it is also a return to the place where she was born and where her love story with the monarch began more than 25 years ago.

A romantic white ensemble with florals:

After an opening day in Uluru defined by impeccable diplomatic dressing that subtly echoed the Australian landscape, the queen resumed her official agenda the following day in Canberra. 

There she once again demonstrated her sartorial sensitivity with three different outfits linked by a common thread, floral prints or embroidery, an elegant nod to the approaching spring in the Northern Hemisphere.

The first look of the day quickly became one of the most discussed. Mary opted for a romantic white ensemble with a delicate floral print, composed of a blouse and matching midi skirt. The design, likely from Danish designer Claes Iversen, stood out for its feminine aesthetic and airy fabrics.

The long-sleeved blouse featured translucent sleeves with soft volume and a high ruffled collar that lent the look a subtle Victorian air. The bodice, meanwhile, evoked the fine pintucks of traditional shirting, adding both texture and sophistication.

The midi skirt completed the ensemble with an equally fluid design. Crafted from two layers, one reminiscent of sheer chiffon and another with the sheen of satin or silk, it created movement and depth within the floral print. The overall effect was delicate, romantic, and entirely in keeping with the queen’s elegant public image.

Mary finished the look with classic nude patent pumps and understated jewelry, elongated diamond drop earrings set with a striking blue stone. A small aqua-green clutch with a crocodile-effect texture added a pop of color.

Yet the true focal point was her headpiece, a grey headband adorned with feathers, natural motifs, and a fine veil across the front. As often happens with statement millinery, the accessory has divided opinion, praised by some as a gesture of classic sophistication and dismissed by others as simply too much.

A green dress revived from her wardrobe:

Hours later, the queen changed outfits once again, choosing a dress already familiar to royal-style watchers, the Everley model by Australian label Zimmermann.

Made from 100% linen, the vibrant green floral design strikes a balance between freshness and elegance. Its flattering midi silhouette features a plunging V-neckline, front button fastening, and softly puffed sleeves that lend the piece a romantic feel.

Mary previously wore the dress during the summer of 2025, when the Danish royal couple undertook their traditional sailing tour of the country aboard the royal yacht DMY Dannebrog, visiting towns including Frederikshavn, Thisted, Læsø, and Samsø.

This time, she demonstrated her knack for reinventing wardrobe favorites by pairing the dress with nude crocodile-effect pumps.

A gala gown by Jesper Høvring:

The day concluded with one of the most spectacular looks of the trip so far. For the state banquet at Government House in Canberra, hosted by Australia’s governor-general, Sam Mostyn, Mary chose a breathtaking powder-green evening gown by Danish designer Jesper Høvring, one of her most trusted couturiers.

The design stood out for both its refined silhouette and its unmistakable Eastern inspiration. An asymmetrical bodice hugged the figure before flowing into a long skirt made of translucent fabric that lent the look movement and lightness. 

Across the ethereal base spread a spectacular floral motif composed of hundreds of gold sequins that caught the light and created a dazzling, theatrical effect, perfect for a gala evening.

It wasn’t the first time the queen had worn the gown. She previously chose it in June 2023 for the wedding banquet of Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan and Rajwa Al Saif at Al Husseiniya Palace in Amman.

For the Canberra banquet, Mary completed the ensemble with a delicate diamond-set gold hair ornament designed by Charlotte Lynggaard for Ole Lynggaard Copenhagen, a subtle sparkle that reinforced the look’s refined glamour.

A ceremonial day in Canberra:

Earlier that day, the Danish royals had officially arrived in Canberra, where they were welcomed at Government House, the residence of the governor-general. The ceremony took place in the parklands of Yarralumla beside Lake Burley Griffin.

Upon arrival, King Frederik and Queen Mary were greeted by Sam Mostyn and her husband, Simeon Beckett, and took part in a traditional welcome ceremony that included a smoke ritual.

Protocol continued with a military parade, the signing of the visitors’ book, and a 21-gun salute. Later, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his partner Jodie Haydon joined the official reception ahead of the state dinner.

During the event, the governor-general highlighted the shared values between the two countries, particularly in areas such as sustainability, climate action, and economic cooperation.

A symbolic blue dress and a historic jewel:

To begin the third day of the visit, Mary chose a refined and symbolically charged look: a navy long-sleeved midi dress defined by a sleek silhouette and three delicate bows along the front.

The color choice carried layered meaning. Although blue does not appear on the Danish flag, it holds strong historical resonance in Denmark. During the liberation of the country in World War II, members of the resistance wore blue armbands as a sign of identification and solidarity. 

Blue is also the dominant color of the Australian flag, an elegant visual bridge between the two nations on a day marked by the monarchs’ visit to the Australian War Memorial.

Mary complemented the dress with a pleated navy headband by Katrin Cecilia Jacobsen featuring a delicate birdcage veil, along with classic snakeskin-effect pumps.

The most remarkable element of the ensemble, however, was the brooch pinned to her lapel, the historic Connaught Sapphire Brooch. Centered around a large faceted sapphire surrounded by diamonds, pearl garlands, and a floral pendant, the jewel was originally a wedding gift in 1879 to Princess Louise Margaret of Prussia when she married Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught, a son of Queen Victoria.

Over the generations, the piece entered the Danish royal collection after being inherited by Queen Ingrid of Denmark. She reserved it for special occasions before passing it to her daughter, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, who later gifted it to Mary in 2006 following the birth of Prince Christian of Denmark.

Since then, the queen has worn the brooch only rarely, typically for family milestones or major institutional moments. For this appearance, she paired it with sapphire and diamond earrings that echoed the historic jewel.

A pink-and-cream suit for the afternoon agenda:

Later in the day, Mary changed again to continue her institutional engagements in Canberra, opting for a formula she masters effortlessly: tailoring.

The queen selected a fitted pink blazer layered over a cream blouse designed with lapels and a waist-defining belt, paired with matching cream trousers. The palette created a soft yet polished contrast, finished with nude pumps and a medium-sized powder-toned handbag.