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From small-town Aussie to international royal: Queen Mary’s style evolution

It's been a true style journey for the Tassie girl.
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In an amazing turn of events that would normally be reserved only for fictional fairy tales, Mary Donaldson became a real-life Princess, becoming Queen Mary.

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It’s a love story we’ll never tire of: The 28-year-old was at Sydney’s Slip Inn pub during the 2000 Olympics, and Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark also just-so-happened to be there. The pair started chatting and instantly hit it off, and the rest, as they say, is history.

The Danish royal couple have been together since 2000. (Credit: Getty)

As a princess, Mary had a lot to learn about royal protocol when she wed into the Danish monarchy, and clothing was a big part of it. Through the years we’ve seen a big change in the Tasmanian local’s style, but she’s taken it all in her stride.

She swapped casual jeans for tailored suits and has built an incredible collection of frocks and evening gowns in the decades since she became a royal – and we can’t get enough of her style.

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Take a look at the fashion evolution of Queen Mary as she transformed from a Sydney real-estate agent to a Queen.
(Credit: Getty)

2025

October

Queen Mary dazzled in a striking red gown and golden tiara at a state banquet during their visit to Latvia in October 2025.

2025

June

Queen Mary arrived at the Global Fashion Summit in a grey co-ord with a detailed woven belt.

Queen Mary

2025

May

Queen Mary attended a concert at the Royal Danish Conservatory of Music in a stunning cream co-ord with a pink jacket.

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Queen Mary and King Frederik

2025

March

Queen Mary appeared at a gala dinner at the Presidential Palace in Finland in a stunning sequinned gown.

Queen Mary

2025

February

In a stunning dress and coral pink combo, Queen Mary looked simple yet elegant for the Ministry of Education and Research’s EliteForsk awards at the Black Diamond in Copenhagen.

King Frederik X and Queen Mary of Denmark

2025

January

King Frederik X and Queen Mary of Denmark attended the New Year’s reception for officers from the armed forcesin a stunning long sleeve ash dress.

Queen Mary

2025

January

Queen Mary looked incredible during a New Year’s Gala at Amalienborg Palace on January 1, 2025.

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2024

January

As she ascended the throne, following the abdication of Queen Margrethe, Mary wore a white Soeren Le Schmidt dress. She paid tribute to the colours of the Danish flag, adding red jewels to her ensemble.

2024

January

Mary’s reign will usher in a new style era, as she transforms her look once more from Princess to Queen.

2024

January

Less than a day after it was announced she would soon become Queen, Mary stepped out at the New Year’s banquet the epitome of elegance and grace.

2023

November

The ultimate power suit.

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2023

November

She looked as glamorous as ever when she unveiled the 2023 Christmas stamps in Copenhagen.

2023

September

Mary stunned in this strapless black and white dress when she attended the Royal Swedish Opera’s jubilee performance alongside Frederik in September 2023.

2023

May

Princess Mary was a vision in purple at the coronation of King Charles III.

2023

April

Mary wore a beautiful and bright – but also tasteful – dress when she met with Fiji’s President Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere and his wife.

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2023

April

The 51-year-old looked elegant in a white and blue pleated skirt and long black sleeve shirt as she attended the 2023 Milan Design Week.

2022

November

Princess Mary looked casual but classy during a visit to Zanzibar in November 2022. Opting for a previously worn sage wrap skirt with a tucked in white blouse and metallic gold sandals, the royal glowed as she attended a commission meeting.

2022

September

Mary donned this vibrant pink gown for a special royal event at Christiansborg Castle with her husband, Prince Frederik. The stunning David Andersen gown was a recycled style statement, as Mary previously wore it to a gala dinner honouring Denmark’s Armed Forces in September 2017. She also accessorised with the same tiara she wore on her wedding day.

2022

September

Jetting to the US for a rare visit, Princess Mary paired a sleek black blazer with a printed dress from Jonathan Simkhai as she visited Scandinavia House in New York. She added a touch of edge to the frock with a pair of Rockstud Green Leather Pumps by Valentino.

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2022

September

Princess Mary made one of her most elegant appearances of the year at Queen Margrethe’s Golden Jubilee Gala Dinner in an upcycled Jesper Høvring dress, adding an elegant new layer of black lace. She paired it with the Danish Ruby Parure Tiara and matching necklace for a truly regal effect.

2022

September

For Queen Margrethe’s Golden Jubilee Gala Mary rewore this divine gown by Lasse Spangenberg, accessorising with the iconic Cartier ‘Love’ yellow gold bracelet. She also donned the Ruby & Spinel necklace and tiara for the elegant occasion.

2022

August

We love a relatable princess! Mary wore this chic coral suit from Scanlan Theodore with a pair of casual sneakers as she headed to the Presentation of the Ministry of Education and Research’s National Teaching Award. She then changed into a set of nude python pumps by Gianvito Rossi for the event.

2022

August

Princess Mary caught all eyes on the Odense Flower Festival red carpet in this purple and white floral midi dress from Erdem. With gold accessories and her hair flowing free, the royal owned this elegant look.

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2022

March

From the cosy CO blouse, to the printed Valentino skirt and knee-high Aquazzura stiletto boots, this was an outfit that cemented Mary’s status as a style icon in 2022.

2022

March

Hard at work for the Mary Foundation, the princess gave a masterclass in elegance with this green number by Danish designer Søren Le Schmidt.

2022

February

Here Mary poses wearing the traditional Greenlandic national costume in honour of her connection to the nation.

2022

February

What a fashionable reunion! Mary donned an all-black outfit with a chic contrasting white coat (which she’s been spotted in before) as she met up with Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge in Copenhagen.

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2022

February

She can certainly pull off a suit too – this purple velvet Temperley London set went perfectly with her subtle jewels.

2022

January

A vocal supporter of sustainable fashion, Mary recycled this embellished pink Claes Iversen coat for an outing to open the exhibition “Mary and the Crown Princesses” before her birthday in 2022.

2022

January

The Australian-born royal looked every bit a princess in this divine embellished Lasse Spangenberg gown for a series of official birthday portraits. Up close, the details on her dress, jewellery and tiara – which is Queen Ingrid’s Ruby Parure – are even more gorgeous.

2022

January

Mary was the picture of casual elegance in this all-white outfit as she sat for a portrait ahead of her 50th birthday in 2022.

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2022

January

After a short bout of COVID-19, the princess was back in style for her first royal engagement of 2022, opting for a monochrome outfit with a Gabriela Hearst frock and matching Oscar de la Renta cape.

2021

September

For a roundtable meeting at the Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnologia Leonardo da Vinci, Mary looked youthful and chic in this Carolina Herrera polka dot silk shirt dress.

2021

September

At a Milan Design Week event where she unveiled her own sustainably made portrait, Mary donned this blush pink Marc Jacobs dress and snakeskin heels.

2021

September

Mary stunned in this $265 H&M Conscious dress she had tailored into a skirt. The future queen styled the midi length piece with an off-the-shoulder black top and a pair of $1,225 mesh panelled pumps from Gianvito Rossi.

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2021

June

For a second soccer match in June, Mary flipped her look, opting for a casual white dress and luxe Alexander McQueen blazer, topping it off with a brown bag by Chloe. She tied the look together with simple brown accessories, including a thin belt and heeled sandals.

2021

June

Mary showed us the power of a monochromatic look at a UEFA EURO 2020 match between Denmark and Finland in June. Pairing a red Hugo Boss blouse with a pair of slacks in the same shade and a matching bag, Mary set off the all-red look with a chic cream coat.

2021

May

Mary went all-out for her son, Prince Christian’s confirmation in May, donning a chic Iris and Ink satin polka dot dress and matching navy fascinator. She completed the look with a pair of nude, point-toe pumps, which really are her staple shoe. The Crown Princess also wore a family heirloom brooch known as the Connaught sapphire brooch, which has been in the Danish royal family since the 1870s.

2021

April

The Crown Princess donned this chic tailored pantsuit for a visit to the UNFPA State Of World Population Report Release in April, 2021 in Denmark. She paired her menswear-inspired ensemble with grey point-toe pumps, a long necklace and – of course – a face mask to complete her look.

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2020

September

Mary’s chic blazer was a crowd favourite, as it was an elevated version of the classic staple. The Max Mara style features a mock neck and zipper closure, and Mary added a smart black and gold belt to create extra definition at her waist.

2020

September

Mary kept it low-key for the official inauguration of the Australian War Monument on September 17, 2020 in Copenhagen, Denmark. Styling her hair into a sleek up-do, the future queen paired a tailored black blazer with a patterned Ralph Lauren dress and her signature nude heels.

2020

August

For an August engagement by the sea, the princess wore the classic combination of a black skirt and white blouse. She mixed it up by wearing a shirt with small puff sleeves and a delicate pattern across it, opting for black wedge sandals over her usual closed-toe pumps.

2020

June

Mary donned a sleek a-line dress for the opening of an art exhibition celebrating Queen Margrethe II of Denmark in June, 2020. Featuring a belted waist, button-up neckline and demure short sleeves, Mary looked radiant in the cream Belulah style, which she paired with matching pumps and a contrasting clutch.

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Family of five sitting on outdoor steps with running shoes placed beside them.

The Danish royals have shared a gorgeous new photo of their family amid a difficult time.

(Credits: (Kongehuset))

2020

March

Even during the coronavirus pandemic, Princess Mary stayed connected with her fans on social media, providing an insight into how she and her family were coping in lockdown. She shared this lovely family portrait with Frederik and their four children on the official Danish royal family’s Instagram account.

And she proved that even while she’s keeping things casual at home, Mary still looked incredibly stylish in this chic knit and jeans outfit – she even matched her boots to her jumper!

2020

March

The Crown Princess looked incredible in this chic pant suit – with a red coat twist! Attending a launch with The Mary Foundation, the Danish royal turned heads as she was snapped entering the event.

2019

October

And a few hours later, her evening look knocked it out of the park once again – we’re obsessed with this cap-sleeved blue embroidered gown!

2019

October

To wrap up the whirlwind tour, Mary wore one of the world’s most iconic textured fabrics in the most appropriate place – Chanel-esque tweed, which was born and bred in Paris!

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2019

October

On Day two, Mary looked elegant in this beautiful white long-sleeved frock.

2019

October

She followed up a stunning start to the Parisian tour by wearing a gorgeous polka dot number later that evening. Frederik couldn’t keep his eyes off her!

2019

October

Parisian perfection! Crown Princess Mary kicked off a three-day tour of Paris in October 2019 wearing this gorgeous blue and white midi dress.

2019

October

Jackie Kennedy reborn! The Crown Princess channelled sixties chic at the official opening of the Danish Parliament.

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2019

September

She may be a Danish royal but Mary honoured her Aussie roots with this stunning Zimmerman dress at the confirmation ceremony of Norway’s Princess Ingrid Alexandra.

2019

August

The future Danish queen isn’t afraid to re-wear clothes though, including this stunning orange H&M frock.

2019

June

Mary rocked the hell out of this gorgeous floral headpiece in June at the celebrations of the 800 year anniversary of the Danish flag in Vordingborg, Denmark. We’re filing this picture away for inspiration when the Spring Racing Carnival rolls around!

2019

March

While on an official royal visit to Texas, Crown Princess Mary wore a trendy green and black tartan coat – not unlike similar tartan styles worn by Duchess Meghan and Princess Catherine in the past!

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2018

December

Princess Mary ended 2018 by debuting a brand new up-do hair style while attending an official dinner. Styled with a burgundy coat, the brunette couldn’t have looked more chic!

2018

August

From board shorts to this stunning red dress, there’s no denying it: Princess Mary has officially nailed royal style.

2017

September

This soft one-shoulder style looks stunning on the Princess.

2017

August

Pictured walking with her two daughters, the Princess looks radiant.

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2014

June

This stunning emerald gown gives us all the holiday vibes.

2012

Luxembourg

This hat and dress combo ticks all the boxes.

2009

March

Again, the Princess can’t help but risk a bold print!

2008

May

An interesting print broken up with a (highly necessary) fur trimmed jacket.

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2005

March

Again with the satin, we almost need some sunnies just to get through this gallery.

2005

March

It’s pink and black, it’s satin, it’s floor-length and it’s utterly chic.

2005

February

The boardies are back and we can’t fault her for staying true to her origins.

2005

February

Back on home soil, the Princess clearly felt comfortable to casual things up.

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2004

May

The Aussie-born princess married her real-life Prince Charming and the whole world swooned.

2004

May

We’ve noticed Mary is partial to an all-beige palette, but this time it took a slightly warmer turn into orange territory.

2004

May

Crown Princess Mary, who was weeks out from her wedding at this stage, absolutely stunned in this ravishing red ensemble.

2004

May

Jacket? Tick. Dress? Tick. Hat? Tick!

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2004

May

The year was 2004 and Mary was bang on trend with this blazer, jeans and stiletto combo.

2004

January

Another day, another satin gown for the Princess!

2003

October

Did you even live in 2003 if you didn’t wear a satin dress to a formal occasion?

2002

November

From square-shaped sunnies to the semi-transparent hat, this look captures true early 00’s style.

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