The Danish royal was the belle of the ball at King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden’s 80th birthday celebrations earlier this week, accompanied by her husband King Frederick X

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2 days agoMay 2, 2026, 6:14 PM GMT+1
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All eyes were on the beautiful Queen Mary of Denmark when she celebrated King Carl Gustaf of Sweden’s 80th birthday at Stockholm’s Royal Palace on Thursday night.

Looking resplendent in a Japanese-inspired purple floral dress with a keyhole neckline, the 54-year-old royal accessorised to perfection with glittering silver drop earrings and a beautiful tiara as she went arm-in-arm with her husband King Frederick X.

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Queen Mary of Denmark celebrated King Carl Gustaf of Sweden’s 80th birthday at Stockholm this week

Upon closer inspection, however, the queen’s statement headpiece was actually a historic bracelet from the Danish Royal Property Trust. The DIY tiara was crafted from a diamond floral bracelet that previously belonged to Queen Louise of Sweden.

The sentimental item boasts a rich history; it was originally given as a wedding gift by King Oscar I and Queen Josephine of Sweden to the future Queen Louise in 1850.

The piece was most recently sported by Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, who abdicated the throne in 2024. Margrethe was often pictured wearing the special item and has even been known to transform it into a choker, attaching it to a black silk ribbon.

© Getty Images

Taking inspiration from her mother-in-law’s creative eye, Queen Mary fashioned the bracelet as a headpiece, pinning it to her elaborate updo for an elegant yet modern take on black tie dressing.

King Carl Gustaf’s celebrations

King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden marked his 80th birthday in style on Thursday, hosting a prestigious gathering of global royalty and heads of state.

© Getty Images

The milestone was celebrated with a banquet at the Royal Palace of Stockholm, held within the historic and breathtaking Rikssalen (The Hall of State).

Accompanied by Queen Silvia, the King welcomed guests from across Europe and beyond for an evening of celebrations. Queen Mary and King Frederick were flying the flag for the Danish royals, with the monarch adorned in the Order of the Seraphim sash.

Also representing Denmark was former Queen Margrethe, wearing the Baden Palmette Tiara, and her sister, Princess Benedikte, in the Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg Fringe tiara.

© Alamy Stock Photo
Queen Margrethe and King Philippe of Belgium during the gala dinner in the State Hall at the Royal Palace as part of the celebration of King Carl Gustaf’s 80th birthday

Queen Mary’s flair for fashion

It was unsurprising to see Queen Mary make a bold statement with her sartorial choice at the birthday banquet. The royal, whose chic sense of style has often been likened to the Princess of Wales, is known for blending modern, functional fashion with historic archive pieces.

Fashion stylist Leanne Jones previously honed in on Queen Mary’s fabulous footwear collection, revealing that her penchant for a funky heel sets her apart from other royals.

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The stylist told HELLO!: “Whether stepping out in embellished pumps, sleek Prada knee-high boots as worn last Christmas, or sky-high Gianvito Rossi stilettos, she embraces shoes as a key part of her style identity.

“It’s this confidence and consistency that sets her apart – her footwear is not just an accessory, but a deliberate and fashion-forward statement.”