Image credit: Getty Images
A subtle yet glamorous, less-is-more approach to beauty has been the official memo of the modern monarchy for decades. From the likes of Princess Diana of Wales, to Princess Catherine of Wales and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, the official regal approach to hair and makeup may differ slightly from royal to royal, but ultimately remains steadfast on a few key rules—understated elegance and a refined approach to all things beauty is paramount.
For Australian-born, beloved Danish Crown Princess Mary—soon to be the Queen of Denmark—no formula could have suited her better. With her affinity for a soft pink lip and cheek combo, a classy dose of eyeliner and, sometimes, a sprinkling of delicately applied sparkly eyeshadow, the Princess’ beauty looks have been consistently feminine, understated and regal since she first stepped into her role in the royal family in 2004.
When it comes to the Princess’ hair, this too has been a source of influence for women everywhere for years. Either swept up in a traditional, chic up-do worthy to feature a tiara, or her iconic loose waves and perfectly swept aughties blow dry, Princess Mary’s hairdos alone are worthy of royal beauty status, long stuck on Pinterest inspiration boards across the world.
Of course, there’s so much more that makes Donaldson regal and influential beyond beauty. From her glamorous evening looks to her refined staple wardrobe and dazzling jewellery collection, the Princess of Denmark is sartorially queenly through and through—but her approach to elegant beauty certainly ties it all together.
Ahead of her coronation, we take a look back at all of Princess Mary’s most regal beauty looks of all time.
Image credit: Getty Images1/44Princess Mary embraces her signature soft pink lip while attending a wreath laying ceremony in Copenhagen, Denmark at the Citadel in 2023.
Image credit: Getty Images2/44Princess Mary attends a gala dinner at the Christiansborg Palace in 2023 sporting her favoured bold yet elegant eyeliner look.
Image credit: Getty Images3/44Princess Mary of Denmark and Queen Letizia of Spain visit the DAC Danish Architecture Center in 2023.
Image credit: Getty Images4/44Princess Mary encapsulates a touch of Old Hollywood glamour as she and Prince Frederik of Denmark attend the Coronation Reception for overseas guests at Buckingham Palace in 2023.
Image credit: Getty Images5/44Princess Mary attends the JoaquÃÂn Sorolla exhibition and a dinner at the Glyptoteket Museum in Copenhagen, Denmark in 2023.
Image credit: Getty Images6/44Princess Mary of Denmark at the Centro di Ricerca Fondazione Gianfranco Ferrè in Milan, Italy to take part at a roundtable discussion in 2023.
Image credit: Getty Images7/44Princess Mary arrives at the Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen, Denmark in 2023.
Image credit: Getty Images8/44Princess Mary wears her signature soft, natural waves during a visit to see the construction of the new Mary Elizabeth’s Hospital for Children, Teens and Expecting Families in Copenhagen, Denmark in 2023.
Image credit: Getty Images9/44Stunning hair details on Princess Mary during a gala dinner for Queen Margrethe’s 75th birthday at Christianborg Palace in 2015.
Image credit: Getty Images10/44Princess Mary dons a chic pinned-back hair look when visiting the Leiden town hall in the Netherlands in 2022.
Image credit: Getty Images11/44Princess Mary attends a Danish-Dutch Trade dinner in The Grote Kerk in 2022.
Image credit: Getty Images12/44Princess Mary visits the Royal Academy of Arts in The Hague, Netherlands in 2022.
Image credit: Getty Images13/44Princess Mary at Christiansborg palace for the gala diner during the 50 years anniversary of Her Queen Margrethe II of Denmark accession to the throne in 2022.
Image credit: AFP14/44Princess Mary smiles in a classic royal beauty look as she inaugurates UC SYD Campus Kolding in Kolding, Denmark in 2022.
Image credit: Getty Images15/44Princess Mary is seen at Roskilde on the occasion of the Queen’s 50 year anniversary as Monarch in 2022.
Image credit: AFP16/44Princess Mary exudes an understated beauty look during the WorldPride parade in Copenhagen, Denmark in 2021.
Image credit: Getty Images17/44Princess Mary in Warsaw, Poland in 2019.
Image credit: AFP18/44Princess Mary arrives for a gala dinner at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, Texas in 2019.
Image credit: Getty Images19/44Princess Mary on an official visit to Canada in 2014, showing off one of her favourite up-dos.
Image credit: Getty Images20/44Prince Frederik and Princess Mary during a carriage ride to the gala banquet on the occasion of The Crown Prince’s 50th birthday at Christiansborg Palace Chapel in 2018.
Image credit: Getty Images21/44Princess Mary arrives at the traditional New Year’s Banquet hosted by Queen Margrethe of Denmark at, Amalienborg Palace in 2017.
Image credit: Getty Images22/44Princess Mary looks on before a wreath-laying ceremony at the Citadel in Copenhagen, Denmark in 2018.
Image credit: Getty Images23/44Princess Mary of Denmark attends a State Banquet at Christiansborg Palace in 2015.
Image credit: AFP24/44Princess Mary attends the EliteForsk Awards at the New Carlsberg Glyptotek museum in Copenhagen, Denmark in 2015.
Image credit: AFP25/44Princess Mary arrives at a furniture shop during her visit to Munich, Germany in 2015.
Image credit: Getty Images26/44Princess Mary and Prince Frederik arrive at the Bambi Awards in Berlin, Germany in 2014.
Image credit: Getty Images27/44Princess Mary sports a natural-looking, regal blow dry during the Copenhagen International Fashion Fair at the Bella Center in 2013.
Image credit: Getty Images28/44Princess Mary arrives at the Muziekbouw in Amsterdam, Netherlands in 2013 sporting a chic beehive-inspired up-do.
Image credit: Getty Images29/44Princess Mary looking regally windswept on the steps of the Sydney Opera House in 2013.
Image credit: Getty Images30/44Princess Mary wears a neat, twisted low bun to attend the Sydney Opera House 40th Anniversary Gala Concert in 2013.
Image credit: Getty Images31/44Princess Mary attends the wedding of Princess Madeleine of Sweden and Christopher O’Neill at The Royal Palace in Stockholm, Sweden in 2013.
Image credit: Getty Images32/44Princess Mary opts for a subtle, shimmery eyeshadow look during her visit to The Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre Westmead in Sydney, Australia in 2012.
Image credit: AFP33/44Princess Mary opts for a neat ponytail during a barbecue with Australian and Danish business leaders at Garden Island, Sydney in 2011.
Image credit: AFP34/44Princess Mary during the Danish Ambassadors dinner at Doltone House in Pyrmont, Sydney in 2011.
Image credit: Getty Images35/44Princess Mary while touring Schloss Guestrow palace with her husband, Prince Frederik, in 2010.
Image credit: AP Photo36/44Princess Mary flashes a smile during a visit to Flensburg, Germany in 2009.
Image credit: Getty Images37/44Princess Mary attends the unveiling of a statue of the late Dr Victor Chang outside of the Lowy Packer Building in Sydney, Australia in 2008.
Image credit: Getty Images38/44Princess Mary attends a gala dinner for The Alannah and Madeline Foundation at the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, Australia in 2008.
Image credit: Getty Images39/44Princess Mary shows of her signature loose waves at the traditional New Year gala at Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen, Denmark in 2007.
Image credit: Getty Images40/44Another classic Princess Mary up-do at the Red Cross 90th Anniversary gala event in Sydney, Australia in 2005.
Image credit: Getty Images41/44Princess Mary wears a simple yet regal up-do at the Victor Chang Ball in Sydney, Australia in 2005.
Image credit: Getty Images42/44Princess Mary attends a press conference at the Hobart Government House in 2005.
Image credit: Getty Images43/44Mary Donaldson wears a simple yet chic beauty look as she and Prince Frederik arrive to the Royal Theatre in Copenhagen, Denmark in 2004.
Image credit: AFP44/44Mary Donaldson arrives at the Copenhagen Cathedral in Copenhagen in 2004 for her wedding to Prince Frederik of Denmark, donning a pink-hued beauty look for her special day—a soft, regal look that would become her go-to for decades to come.
This article was originally published on Vogue Australia.
