Queen Mary swaps tiara for Akubra in first official visit to Australia since new royal title

Akubras, Zimmermann and a touch of Scandi-chic: such are the style rules for our Aussie Cinderella’s first official visit Down Under since being minted queen.

The Danish royals have started a six-day tour of Australia, their first official visit since they became monarchs in 2024.

The Tasmanian-born queen, who met the king-to-be during the 2000 Sydney Olympics, was last in Australia in 2023 on an official tour as princess.

Like Princess Catherine’s fashion choices of late, Mary’s styling thus far has been rather simple (save for the choice selection of prized jewels eagle-eyed monarchists may recognise).

“In the first official state tour, Queen Mary has shown a refinement with a selection of pared back looks. Queen Mary is not one to distract from official duties – we have seen casual linens in Uluru and feminine florals in the nation’s capital,” says Mattie Cronan, style director of the Australian Women’s Weekly.

Perhaps the new queen is eager to keep attention on the visit’s diplomatic goals – to focus on clean energy and deepen ties between Australia and Denmark – and be sensitive to the cost-of-living crisis we common folk are living with.

In a visit to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park Cultural Centre on Sunday, Mary dialled down the glitz, swapping her tiara for an Akubra hat straight out of Bob Katter’s wardrobe, and her princess gowns for a beige skirt and an umbrella-print button-down shirt.

On Monday morning, the 54-year-old switched it up with a green floral dress from Australian label Zimmermann, a brand she has worn before, to attend an Aboriginal smoking ceremony in Canberra.

Elsewhere, the queen has opted to honour designers from her adopted country.

On Sunday night, Mary chose a demure white floral dress, styled with a dusty blue fascinator that would not look out of place at the Melbourne Cup, by Danish designer Claes Iversen for a meeting with Governor-General Sam Mostyn.

Later that night, for a state banquet at Government House, the queen wore an eggshell-blue one-shouldered gown by long-time collaborator, Danish designer Jesper Høvring.

The gathered floor-length dress has been a mainstay in Mary’s wardrobe since 2010, when it featured a cream lace panel. Høvring has helped the queen alter the dress, including for a visit to Melbourne in 2012.

“It is not the first time that we have seen Mary dressing with sustainability at the forefront,” says Cronan.

Mary paired the gown with a Star of the Order of the Elephant brooch (Denmark’s most distinguished order) and an Ole Lynggaard leaves hairpiece in lieu of a tiara.

During a visit to the Australian War Memorial on Monday, the queen wore a navy dress with bow detailing by Venezuelan American designer Carolina Herrera, and a matching fascinator. Pinned to her chest was the Connaught sapphire brooch, a priceless heirloom that has been in the Danish family since it was gifted to Princess Louise Margaret of Prussia in 1879 as a wedding present.

Later in the week, the couple will visit Melbourne and Hobart.

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