Queen Mary of Denmark arrived at a state banquet in Canberra on Sunday wearing a striking gold leaf brooch in her hair rather than a tiara, a choice that has become something of a signature for the Australian-born queen at formal state occasions.
The piece, from Ole Lynggaard’s Petit Frost collection, features pavé-set diamonds within a design of gold leaves and was created by Copenhagen-based jewelry designer Charlotte Lynggaard. Versatile by design, it can be configured as a hair piece or worn as a smaller brooch. As noted by The Royal Watcher, Mary has worn the Ole Lynggaard brooch frequently over the years at formal events in place of a tiara. She first wore it at King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden’s 70th birthday banquet in 2016. Since then it has appeared at the French state visit to Denmark in 2018, and on several business visits, including one to Rome that same year.
Then-Crown Princess Mary wearing the brooch on her dress during the 2018 French State Visit.LUDOVIC MARIN – Getty Images
The banquet was part of the Danish royal couple’s first official state visit to Australia since ascending the throne in 2024, following the abdication of Frederik’ss mother, Queen Margrethe. The tour began Saturday with a trip to Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park Cultural Center, where the couple were welcomed by elders of the Aṉangu people, the Indigenous residents of the land, who performed a traditional dance before accompanying them to watch the sunset.
Frederick and Mary also visited the Kulata Academy Café, an initiative of the National Indigenous Training Academy that trains and employs young Aboriginal people in hospitality. The Red Centre, a sacred site, has become a fixture in the iconography of royal visits to Australia. The royal couple’s photo in front of Uluru echoed the famous image of Princess Diana and Prince Charles there during their 1983 tour.
The King and Queen of Denmark at Uluru in March 2026.DAVID GRAY – Getty Images
The Prince and Princess of Wales at Uluru in March 1983.Princess Diana Archive – Getty Images
The trip carries personal significance for both: Mary was born and raised in Hobart, Tasmania, where her father and two sisters still live, and the tour is set to conclude there later this week. Frederik, then the Crown Prince of Denmark, and Mary, née Mary Donaldson, first met in Australia during the 2000 Sydney Olympics at a pub called the Slip Inn.
The Danish royals meet with locals at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.Pool – Getty Images
In a rare moment of public affection and nostalgia, Frederick shared what Australia means for the couple during his speech at the banquet. “For me, Australia has held a very special place in my heart ever since I slipped into that bar and lost it in a conversation that has never ended,” King Frederick said. “Mary, you had the courage to leave your beloved home and build a new one with me as far away as one can possibly go. For that, I will be forever grateful. Australia is our second home. Whether we come here for a family visit or a State Visit, we feel both excited and entirely at ease.”
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