HRH The Crown Princess presided over the opening of the special exhibition “HRH Crown Princess Mary 1972 – 2022” at The Museum of National History at Frederiksborg Palace in Hillerød on 3 February 2022. HRH The Crown Prince and TRH Princess Isabella, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine also took part in the opening.

The exhibition came about in connection with The Crown Princess’s 50th birthday, and, in connection with the official opening, a new portrait of The Crown Princess was unveiled in the Angel Hall at Frederiksborg Palace. The portrait was created by the Spanish-born artist Jesús Herrera Martínez, who lives in Denmark. Their Royal Highnesses unveiled the new portrait, which was then carried from the Angel Hall to the Great Hall to occupy a central place in the exhibition.

The portrait, which has been named “Crown Princess Mary”, is painted with oil on canvas. The portrait is staged in The Crown Princess’s study in the Crown Prince Couple’s home in Frederik VIII’s Palace at Amalienborg. The work relates the story of The Crown Princess by including elements from the study as well as fictive symbols that refer to Her Royal Highness’s Australian background – among others, in the form of shadow play on the wall, where you can see a eucalyptus plant.

Their Royal Highnesses had a tour of the exhibition, which tells the story of The Crown Princess through portraits, personal objects as well as dresses and gala gowns that Her Royal Highness has worn on special occasions.

The exhibition also tells stories about other crown princesses who, through the years, have left a special mark on their time in Denmark. And, in the exhibition, you also meet Danish princesses who have taken on roles as crown princesses and subsequently as queens in foreign royal houses.

Among other things, visitors can see the portraits of the Danish princesses who went abroad as well as dresses worn by Christian IX’s daughters, Princess Dagmar and Princess Alexandra. Through their marriages, the princesses became empress of Russia and queen of Great Britain, respectively.