Princess Mary at New Year

After a Christmas break in Australia, it really is back to business for Crown Princess Mary as she and Crown Prince Frederik accompany Queen Margrethe at the traditional New Year levees in Copenhagen. After the huge interest in the New Year Day celebrations, which marked Prince Henrik's first appearance in public since it was announced he is retiring, the receptions have gone on with Mary and Fred taking a starring role.

Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary arriving at the Christiansborg Palace for the annual diplomatic New Year reception

Copenhagen, January 5th 2016

(photo kongehuset.dk)

The annual diplomatic levee took place on January 5th at the Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen with Queen Margrethe leading the way with no consort at her side. It will be an increasingly common site in Denmark after she announced in her New Year's Eve speech that her husband will be scaling back his official duties.

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark at the New Year Levee on January 5th 2016

(photo kongehuset.dk)

With no Prince Joachim and Princess Marie either, this New Year levee very much put the focus on the Queen of Denmark, her heir and his wife. They seemed to form a nucleus of royalty which will grow increasingly important over the coming months and years. If New Year's Day was a farewell, January 5th was a glimpse of the future.

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark speaks at the New Year diplomatic levee

(photo kongehuset.dk)

The gowns were simpler than those for the New Year's Day event and there were no tiaras but this was still a glamourous event with Crown Princess Mary choosing a white gown with pale pink belt.. The glimpse of shoe underneath the long skirt seemed to show a blush colour as well. Queen Margrethe went for a striking dark blue gown while her heir, as ever for this event, was in ceremonial dress.

A queen, her heir, a consort in waiting - Denmark's royals at the Christianborg Palace

(photo kongehuset.dk)

There will be more New Year receptions before January 2016 is done but this one for the diplomatic corps turned the page in a history book and moved Denmark's royals towards their new look which we will see many more times as the coming months unfold.