Queen Mary’s stunning evening gown on her first night in the Faroe Islands has a touching backstory: it was given to her as a welcoming gift in 2005, a year after she became the future queen of the Faroe Islands.
King Frederik and Queen Mary are in the midst of a three-day visit to the Faroe Islands, one of the three components of the Danish kingdom, and her wardrobe reflected her personal connection to the region.
The Danish Royal Court shared that Queen Mary received her national costume from the Faroese Government and Parliament during her first official visit to the archipelago in 2005.
Queen Mary’s national costume is comprised of an apron and scarf in dark green wool with a daisy pattern, while her knitted sweater features a black and red pattern with a lace bodice. The silver on her bodice was designed especially for then-Crown Princess Mary.
Much like his wife, King Frederik’s national costume was also a gift from the Faroese Government and Parliament. His red vest features blue flowers and green leaves embroidery.
The Faroese national costume is worn at both festive and solemn events and can be passed down from family members, according to the Danish Royal Court.
In a speech at a gala dinner at the Hotel Føroyar at the start of their visit, King Frederik recalled his first trip to the Faroe Islands, in 1978, and how he was wearing the national costume even then.
“The Faroe Islands leave a mark on you,” King Frederik said. “So do the Faroese. That was in 1978. Many impressions and imprints have come since.”
He thanked the Faroese people for their warm welcome to Queen Mary and Princess Josephine, who accompanied her parents on their official visit, and joked that he hoped Crown Prince Christian, Princess Isabella and Prince Vincent “are sending an envious thought to Josephine these days” as they stayed behind.
He concluded his speech: “A sea of family ties binds us together across the sea that separates us. Those ties make us stronger. Because no one is an island. Thank you for your warm welcome. I raise a toast to the Faroe Islands and the Faroese people.”
