Queen Mary of Denmark Makes First Solo Engagement Since Becoming Queen Upon King Frederik's Accession

The newly minted Queen Mary traveled abroad for the handball championship

• Queen Mary of Denmark traveled to Cologne, Germany for her first solo duty since Queen Margrethe’s abdication and King Frederik’s accession.

• The new Queen of Denmark penned a personal message about the 2024 European Men's Handball Championship, where Denmark lost to France, on social media.

• The poised royal congratulated members from both teams on the court after.

Queen Mary of Denmark is recapping her first solo outing in her new royal role in a modern way — on Instagram!

On Sunday, the Queen of Denmark, 51, stepped out in Cologne, Germany for the 2024 European Men's Handball Championship between Denmark and France in Cologne. The stop marked Mary’s first solo engagement since her mother-in-law Queen Margrethe abdicated on Jan. 14 and her husband became King Frederik of Denmark, making her Queen in the same sweep.

The Danish Royal House posted a photo of Queen Mary inside Lanxess Arena, where France ultimately beat Denmark 33-31 in the handball championship.

“It was a very even match. The picture here was taken just before the second half started. What a finale…. Well fought, Denmark. It was up close and nerve-wracking to witness. It has been an impressive effort that you have all made at the European Championship. Congratulations on the silver medal🥈 which I had the honor to present,” read the Instagram caption, signed “✒️ H.M. The queen.”

Related: Queen Mary of Denmark Doesn't Curtsy to Queen Margrethe for the First Time After Change of Reign

Queen Mary sat next to German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier during the match, and congratulated players from both teams on the court after. The social media post brought a personal touch to Mary’s take on the game, but it’s no surprise she knows her way around Instagram — after all, she’s a mom of four teenagers! Queen Mary and King Frederik are parents to Crown Prince Christian, 18, Princess Isabella, 16, and 13-year-old twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, and their eldest son took Frederik’s former Crown Prince title upon the change of reign.

Family was a key theme on Queen Margrethe’s abdication day, where the 83-year-old Queen officially stepped down as monarch by signing a declaration of her abdication during a Council of State at Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen. The sovereign signed the document with her two immediate heirs, Frederik, 55, and Christian, 18, beside her, signaling their place in the new reign.

Queen Margrethe abdicated on the 52nd anniversary of her accession and made history as the first Danish monarch to voluntarily step down from the throne in nearly 900 years, per Danish Royal House history. Though her decision to step down came as a shock to most Danes, Queen Margrethe said the extensive back surgery she had in 2023 “gave rise to thinking about the future,” per an English translation of the official transcription, and explained that she decided “now is the right time.”

Related: Why the New King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark Won't Have a Coronation Like King Charles

Two weeks later, the change of reign was made official through the Council of State meeting and following proclamation on the balcony at Christiansborg Palace by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. The new King Frederik X looked emotional as he stepped out solo before being joined by his wife, the new Queen Mary.

The royal couple gave a wave — and shared a surprise kiss! — before their four kids appeared on the terrace of the royal residence.

King Frederik’s accession changed the family dynamic forever, as Crown Prince Christian took his father’s former title as heir to the throne. Meanwhile, Princess Isabella, Prince Vincent (who is 26 minutes older than his twin sister) and Princess Josephine all moved up a spot in the line of succession.

A few days later, the Danish Royal House unveiled the official portraits of the royal family on the accession day. The photos were taken in the Throne Room a few moments after the King’s proclamation on Jan. 14.

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The court released three pictures from the historic day, all starring the new King and Queen. King Frederik and Queen Mary softly smiled in the first shot and were joined by Crown Prince Christian in the second. Princess Isabella, Prince Vincent and Princess Isabella hopped in for the final shot, which captured the family of six.

On Jan. 21, King Frederik, Queen Mary, their kids and Queen Margrethe (who retains her royal title) attended a church service at Aarhus Cathedral to celebrate the change of reign. In a relatable mother-daughter moment captured by the cameras, Queen Mary shared a laugh with Princess Isabella when her hand got caught in her hair outside the church.

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