Queen Mary of Denmark looked majestic on Thursday evening as she posed alongside King Frederik and Queen Margrethe as they hosted a dinner for officers of the admiral and commander's rank from the Royal Danish Navy.
The Australian-born royal, 52, was seen wearing a cinched black floor-length gown under a cropped boxy military jacket with golden epaulets and an unexpected addition – a whole host of rarely-seen military medals.
© KongehusetKing Frederik and his wife held a Taffel hall in Frederik VIII's Palace. Honour dinners of this nature are held annually in turns between the Army, Navy as well as the Defense, Air Force, and the Emergency Management Board.
© KongehusetThe queen's brunette locks were swept off her face in a half updo and her makeup was simple yet elegant with focus placed on the eyes.
© GettyQueen Mary's military moment
Mary rarely dons her medals though they are a symbol of her dedication to the armed forces since 2008. The royal began her military career as a private in the Home Guard four years after her royal wedding before being promoted twice a year later to sergeant and later, lieutenant.
© GettyFrom there, the queen flew up the ranks making first lieutenant by 2015, captain by 2019, and honorary major by 2023. She has taken part in a number of exercises under the auspices of the Home Guard through the Army, Navy, and Air Home Guard.
© GettyHer military training included learning first aid, the use of a weapon, assisting the police in search and rescue operations, and sleeping outdoors in a bivouac.
© GettyQueen Mary's recent look
The royal showed her willingness to swap elegant evening gowns for something a little more practical the following day as she visited the Danish Nature Foundation in Lerbjerg Forest to see one of the it's many restored bogs and streams.
© GettyThe mother of four was unrecognisable in khaki cargos, anorak, and gloves. A woolen purple hat protected her hair and she rounded off the look with flat brown boots.
© GettyThe outing comes just days after she flew to Poland with King Frederik to join royals from across Europe in paying their respects to victims of the Holocaust on the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the German Nazi concentration and extermination camp Auschwitz-Birkenau by the Red Army.
© Alamy Stock PhotoDISCOVER: Queen Mary's sweet hug for sister captured on camera during historic moment
Alongside the Danish royal couple wearing black were King Charles, Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, and King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain.
