She may be the queen of Denmark, but today she was simply the proudest mother in the crowd as she watched her son graduate from school.
Queen Mary, 52, a mother of four, held up her phone and smiled as she took photos of Prince Christian, 18, in a procession with his classmates as he celebrated reaching the end of his school studies.
Dressed in a striped jacket and accessorized with wayfarer-style sunglasses, Mary certainly stood out as one of the most stylish parents in the crowd, but other than that, one wouldn’t have been able to tell that she’s one of the most powerful women in the nation as she joined other parents of Christian’s peers in celebrating.
She was joined at Copenhagen’s Ordrup Gymnasium by King Frederik, Princess Elizabeth and twins Princess Josephine and Prince Vincent to celebrate the graduation of their eldest son and heir to the throne before he leaves for university in the autumn.
Queen Mary of Denmark was always the proud mother as she attended her son’s graduation parade today.
When the entire family turned out to celebrate the Crown Prince’s graduation, it marked another show of solidarity by the royals after a turbulent year that included rumours that King Frederick had had an affair (which were strenuously denied) and Queen Margrethe’s shock New Year’s abdication.
While Crown Prince Christian, who is now first in line to the throne after his father became King in January, took part in a parade with his classmates to celebrate the end of school, it is another event in his graduation festivities.
In Denmark, it is traditional for graduating cohorts
Crown Prince Christian took part in a graduation parade this afternoon, as part of Danish tradition.
Crown Prince Christian, heir apparent in Denmark, wore a traditional cap at the party.
King Frederick of Denmark looked equally proud as he attended his eldest son’s graduation ceremony.
Princess Josephine, the youngest daughter of Queen Mary and King Frederick, looked elegant in an embroidered white blouse.
Crown Prince Christian’s younger sister took a photo of her brother during the parade as she watched from the crowd.
Princess Elizabeth wore a blue ruffled blouse as she attended the ceremony.
Prince Vincent, Princess Josephine’s twin brother, looked dapper in a white polo shirt as he joined in the festivities.
Mary looked stylish in a blue double-breasted jacket with white stripes and walking sunglasses as she watched the procession.
Let the party begin! Graduates sprayed bubbles from a float while waving Danish flags, as is tradition at graduations in Denmark.
Crown Prince Christian joined his classmates on the truck as they drove around as part of the graduation festivities.
Proud young siblings Princess Elizabeth, Princess Josephine and Prince Vincent watched as their brother joined the party.
King Frederick, a father of four, opted for a smart-casual look with a beige jacket paired with a blue shirt.
Queen Mary shared a hug with a young girl in the crowd.
The student also spoke with King Frederick.
Earlier this week, Mary and Frederik attended their son’s official graduation ceremony and spoke of their pride in interviews with local media.
The royal is likely to attend university in the fall and complete his military training, following in his father’s footsteps.
This is a similar situation to that of Princess Leonor, the heir to the Spanish throne. After finishing school, she began her three years of intensive training in defence.
Two years ago, Prince Christian was removed from the elite Herlufsholm boarding school after allegations of physical and sexual abuse at the institution emerged in a documentary. Her sister Isabella was also supposed to attend, but her parents also took her out.
Crown Prince Christian seemed to be having fun as he shouted from the truck while his friend held a bottle of champagne.
The couple were enrolled in the Ordrup Gymnasium, and since Isabella is only a year behind her brother, Mary and Frederik will probably be at the school around the same time next year to celebrate their eldest daughter’s graduation.
The school from which Christian graduated was founded in 1873 by HC Frederiksen (called Friser), who wanted to move away from the traditional teaching methods of his time.
The school, which offers several clubs, including elite sports clubs, was the first to introduce co-education in Denmark and is considered an innovative institution.
Ordrup’s core values are to foster “curiosity” among its students, as well as “cooperation and respect.”
Crown Prince Christian’s graduation festivities mark a joyous occasion for the Danish royal family amid turbulent times, following King Frederick’s night out with Mexican socialite Genoveva Casanova in Madrid last fall.
Snaps of the couple showed them heading to a traditional flamenco restaurant in the Spanish capital, where Genoveva lives, where Spanish magazine Lecturas reported they dined together until the early hours.
After the publication of the photos, rumors of a romance between the two circulated, which Genoveva flatly denied.
However, cracks began to appear in the relationship between Queen Mary and King Frederick after his date night with Genevieve and the couple, who have been married for 20 years, have displayed cold body language towards each other in public appearances.
But as Crown Prince Christian marks a rite of passage in his life by graduating from high school, the family appears to be overwhelmed with happiness as there were smiles all around for the Danish royals this afternoon.