It may have been his birthday, but King Frederik surprised his wife, Queen Mary, with a priceless gift on his special day.
The Danish royal palace announced that in celebration of Frederik’s 56th birthday, which fell on Sunday, he awarded Mary the Grand Commander’s Cross of the Order of the Dannebrog.
The Grand Commander order is reserved for individuals of royal origin and is bestowed only upon those with close family ties to the Danish Royal House.
Its glittering insignia, which Mary is likely to wear at future white-tie events, features Frederik’s cypher at the top of a red and gold cross, adorned with crown emblems and surrounded by diamonds.
Mary’s award was previously worn by the late Prince Henrik, consort to Queen Margrethe, but it has been restored with Frederik’s emblem.
Currently, there are seven Grand Commanders of the Order of Dannebrog. Alongside the King and Queen, other recipients of the Grand Commander’s Cross include Queen Margrethe, Frederik’s brother Prince Joachim, Margrethe’s sister Princess Benedikte, Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf, and Norway’s King Harald V. Frederik and Joachim were the last Danish royals to receive this honor, both in 2004.
Although women were traditionally not eligible for the Order until 1951, Christian VIII made an exception in 1840 when he awarded it to Frederik VI’s widow, Queen Marie Sophie Frederikke.
