Queen Mary of Denmark stuns in polka dots as she steps out with her family for Changing of the Guard at Gråsten Palace - just days after wasp sting scare
The Australian-born royal, 53, looked effortlessly chic in a stylish black midi dress adorned with delicate white polka dots.
She completed her elegant summer look with tan heels, minimal gold jewellery including a necklace and bracelet, and wore her glossy dark locks loose over her shoulders.
Beaming as she waved to the cheering crowd, Mary appeared in good spirits – a welcome sight just days after she was stung by a wasp during an earlier appearance in the same town.
She was accompanied by her husband, King Frederik, 57, who cut a dashing figure in a crisp blue button-up shirt paired with tan trousers and casual sneakers.
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The royal couple were seen holding hands as they greeted the gathered well-wishers, sharing warm smiles and soaking up the festive atmosphere.
Their children, Princess Isabella, 17, and twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, 14, joined them for the outing, all smiling brightly as they stood beside their parents on the grounds of the southern Jutland castle.
The appearance marked a return to public life for Mary, following a minor health scare earlier in the week.
On Monday, during a separate event in Gråsten, the Queen was rushed indoors after being stung by a wasp while meeting royal admirers.
Witnesses described seeing Mary visibly wince in pain and clutch her thigh as she began to limp and rub at the affected area.
While greeting her admirers, Mary, who was carrying a bouquet of flowers given to her by one of her fans, suddenly winced and grabbed at her leg.
She began limping and rubbing her thigh, seemingly in pain, and appeared distressed as her husband and children rushed to check on her.
Mary attempted to carry on, but was soon whisked away to a nearby hotel, cutting short the outing.
The queen was stung by a wasp, reports later claimed, and while she was unable to proceed, she insisted her family stay behind to finish the engagement.
'The queen certainly did not seem to be badly affected by the encounter with the stinging wasp, and she, together with the king, Isabella and Vincent, made sure to greet the many citizens who had gathered in the square,' Danish publication Billed-Bladet reported.
Once she recovered from the sting, Queen Mary joined her family at Gråsten Palace, where the family will spend their summer holidays over the next few weeks.
Mary and her husband recently embarked on a European summer getaway.
The Danish royal couple have spent much of this past month enjoying some R&R at the royal-owned Château de Cayx in Cahors, France.
Danish publications reported that in early July they jetted to Cahors, located in the Midi-Pyrenees region, an area famous for its Malbec wine - and it appears they were having such a fantastic time there that they decided to extend their stay – twice.
The pair first planned to return to their duties in Denmark by July 13, but updated their plans, announcing they would stay a few extra days - this date was then extended further, with the royal family's official return to Gråsten slated for July 28.
In the King and Queen's absence, the role as regent would fall to the next in line to the throne - their teenage son Crown Prince Christian - but he was initially unavailable.
The lack of royal family members to pick up the baton meant there was no other option but to bring Queen Margrethe out of retirement.
As Mary and Fred extended their vacation for a second time, the former monarch - who abdicated the throne following a 52-year reign in 2024 - was left to run the show from July 9 to July 15.
When he was available, Crown Prince Christian then stepped up, with the 19-year-old holding down the fort until July 20.
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