Mary of Denmark
Traditionally, the new queens wear white
At their husbands’ coronations they became queens (from left): Letizia, Mary and Camilla – all appeared in white dresses on the day of the change of throne.
© [M] imago/PA Images / imago/Ritzau Scanpix / imago/ZUMA Press
Mary stepped onto the balcony as queen in dazzling white. Camilla and Co. also chose this color. Why did they wear wedding dress looks?
On the day of the coronation of the new kings In Europe, not only the monarchs themselves were at the center of events, but also their style-conscious wives. What’s striking: the queens’ outfits. They all wore bright white dresses. But why was that?
Choosing a white outfit on Coronation Day is traditionally a symbolic decision. Queen Mary (51), Queen Camilla (76), Queen Máxima (52), Queen Letizia (51) and Queen Mathilde (50) not only emphasized their elegance with their radiant dresses. Dr. Giselle Bastin, a royal expert at Flinders University, told Mail Online that white is traditionally worn by royal women at coronations to symbolize “renewal and the purity of the crown.” The choice of color also represents loyalty and willingness to fulfill their royal duties.
Queen Mary of Denmark
When Australian-born Princess Mary became Queen Mary of Denmark on January 14, she appeared on the balcony of Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen wearing a dress by Danish designer Soeren Le Schmidt full of hidden messages. Mary’s A-line midi dress with long sleeves, mock scarf detail and waist belt was sewn by Birgit Hallstein. She also had Mary’s wedding dress made by designer Uffe Frank for May 14, 2004.
On coronation day, Mary combined the traditional snow white with red ruby jewelry – a reference to the white and red Danish flag. The set – earrings, brooch, belt buckle, hairpins – is a family heirloom originally made by a now unknown jeweler and commissioned by Napoleon (1769-1821) in 1804 on the occasion of his extravagant coronation.
Queen Camilla of Great Britain
Camilla appeared at the coronation on May 6, 2023 in a white dress by British designer Bruce Oldfield. The floor-length gown with long sleeves and a subtle V-neck was decorated with numerous gold and white embroidery.
Buckingham Palace said in a statement at the time: “The decoration of the coronation dress consists of delicate garlands of abstract wildflowers from fields and hedgerows: daisies, forget-me-nots, celandine and gauchheil, which represent the King and Queen’s affection for nature and symbolize the British landscape.” And further: “Festive pennants made of antique gold and silver thread intertwine with the wildflowers. The front hem of the petticoat and the cuffs of the sleeves are decorated with the floral emblems of the four nations of the United Kingdom – a rose, a thistle, a daffodil and a shamrock. “
Queen Letizia of Spain
Letizia of Spain also appeared before the people in white during her first appearance as queen on June 19, 2014. Her elegant coat dress with long sleeves skimmed her knees. The colorful, sparkling collar area and the pin brooches with a light blue bow were particularly eye-catching.
Queen Mathilde of Belgium
A good year earlier it was Mathilde’s turn. On July 21, 2013, she appeared before the Belgian people as the new queen in a sheath dress with a striking collar in the bridal color of white.
Queen Maxima of the Netherlands
A small exception was Máxima of the Netherlands. The two-piece suit that she wore to her husband’s coronation on April 30, 2013 was also very bright. But the blouse-skirt combination with an XXL bow on the shoulder and glittering sequins on the knee-length skirt part was dipped in delicate rose instead of blossom white. The waistband is adorned with a brooch set with jewels.