Queen Mary and King Frederik of Denmark looked serious on Wednesday as they visited a garrison on the second day of their state visit to Finland.
The royal couple’s visit comes as the two countries have sealed a defence deal to strengthen Nordic security amid international tensions.
On Wednesday, Mary, 53, and Frederik, 56, visited the Porkkala Garrison in Upinniemi, where they were welcomed for a tour.
Frederik jumped into an armoured tank, taking it for a test drive and getting the opportunity to view the guns in the turret.
Though the tanks themselves are made in Finland, their turrets are made by Danish company Sima Innovation.
Frederik looked thoughtful as he entered the turret, listening carefully as he was told all about the armoured vehicle.
The couple had wrapped up warm for the visit, with Mary adding a long navy puffer jacket on top of her smart attire. Frederik took a leaf out of his wife’s book, himself wearing a smart navy coat over tailored trousers.
The base is the largest naval station in the Gulf of Finland and houses the coastal brigade and a special operations unit.
Queen Mary and King Frederik of Denmark showed their serious side as they visited a garrison on the second day of their state visit to Finland
Frederik jumped into an armoured tank, taking it for a test drive and getting the opportunity to view the guns in the turret
During the visit, an example of Finnish-Danish defense cooperation was presented with a Finnish military vehicle equipped with a Danish-produced turret (ringmount).
The royal couple is on a state visit to Finland from March 4-5. Four ministers are also participating in the visit, which, in addition to official visits, particularly focuses on defense and preparedness due to the recent deal signed.
Later on Wednesday, Mary and Frederik visited Aalto University in Helsinki and the Arkki School of Architecture for Children and Youth in Helsinki – where they heard about the children’s projects, with Mary particularly interested in their sustainability, according to Danish media.
The monarchs joined Finland’s President Alexander Stubb and first lady Suzanne Innes-Stubb for a seminar on green financing at the Fiskars Group’s headquarters in Espoo, bringing together Finnish and Danish investors and companies operating in the value chain of the green transition.
Mary showed her fondness for bright tailoring, donning a tailored velvet double-breasted coat, and adding a chic black bag.
On the first day of their visit, the Queen and King attended a gala dinner at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki.
The Danish royal couple were hosted in the Finnish capital on Tuesday evening by the President of Finland Alexander Stubb and his Solihull-born attorney wife Suzanne Innes-Stubb.
Looking effortlessly elegant, Queen Mary was dressed in a beautiful floor-length, embroidered gown with sheer sleeves and a wide, silk waist belt. The royal’s gold belt bore a silver brooch with the Danish flag in the centre.
The monarchs joined Finland’s President Alexander Stubb and first lady Suzanne Innes-Stubb for a seminar on green financing
The couple had wrapped up warm for the visit, with Mary adding a long navy puffer jacket on top of her smart attire
Denmark’s King Frederik visits Porkkala Garrison in Upinniemi, Finland
Frederik looked thoughtful as he entered the turret, listening carefully as he was told all about the armoured vehicle
Denmark’s King Frederik and Queen Mary (not seen) along with the Finnish presidential couple, Alexander Stubb and his spouse Suzanne Innes-Stubb
Later on, the royal couple visited Aalto University in Helsinki
Mary showed her fondness for bright tailoring, donning a tailored velvet double-breasted coat, and adding a chic black bag
The mother-of-four’s dress had a black base and was decorated in floral patterns sewn in gold thread and finished with tiny pearls.
On the left side, she had attached two medals, one containing a photograph of the Danish monarch – her husband – and the other featuring a red and gold cross.
The Australian-born Danish queen wore a royal blue sash, which is often associated with the Order of the Elephant, a prominent Danish order of chivalry.
She carried a miniature clutch bag in the same shade of blue with a diamante fastening.
Mary accessorised her striking ensemble with a gold tiara set with jewels of different colours and a pair of ornate gold earrings encrusted with what appeared to be rubies.
Once seated at a long dinner table adorned with pink and white flowers, President Stubb stood up to officially welcome his royal guests with a speech that amused King Frederik who stifled his laughter with his hand.
Later, it was Frederik’s turn to address the guests at the gala dinner, with the king donning a pair of black spectacles for the occasion.