The new picture of Queen Mary and King Frederik on his birthday that speaks volumes about their marriage
Their intimate interaction had royal pundits speculating that it spoke volumes about the current status of the royal's relationship after a rocky two years.
The King and Queen were joined by other Danish royal family members for a special balcony appearance in celebration of the King's 57th birthday.
But all eyes were on the royal married couple, who only a few weeks ago celebrated their 21st wedding anniversary on 14 May.
After standing on the balcony solo to greet and wave to the crowd, King Frederik was joined by Queen Mary, 53, with the couple warmly intertwining their arms around each other.
As Queen Mary and King Frederik greeted well-wishers gathered outside the palace, royal watchers noted the happy couple couldn't take their eyes off each another.
In particular, the cameras captured the moment when the King and Queen would steal loving glances.
An Instagram fan page dedicated to the Aussie-born royal royals was alight with comments about how loved up the King and Queen looked together on the balcony.
'They have a special glow in their gaze,' observed one translated comment.
'Beautiful couple,' stated another.
Even as the royals used their free hand to wave to the crowds, Mary and Frederik warmly clung to one another with the other arm, and repeatedly shared intimate looks.
In addition, style watchers noted that the couple were perfectly in unison fashion-wise.
For his birthday outing, the King donned a navy tailored three-piece suit and dark red tie.
Queen Mary coordinated with her husband wearing a teal blue dress by Danish fashion designer Soeren Le Schmidt, which was cinched at the waist with a belt and accessorised with a glamorous Ole Lynggaard brooch.
The celebratory occasion also saw the royal couple joined on the balcony by former monarch Queen Margrethe and their children, Princess Isabella, 18, and their 14-year-old twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine.
One of the royal family's pet dogs also made a surprise appearance on the balcony.
The latest loved-up display between the King and Queen comes as they continue to emerge strongly from a previously tumultuous period in their marriage.
Frederik ascended the throne in January 2024 after his mother Queen Margrethe II abdicated in favour of her son.
The historic decision made by Margrethe, 85, came amid rumours of marriage troubles involving the King's personal life.
However, since becoming King and Queen, it appears the royal couple have made a concerted effort to work on their marriage and once again present a unified.
Indeed, at numerous recent public engagements, Mary and Frederik have appeared warm and affectionate in their interactions, frequently enjoying lingering eye contact moments and sharing physical contact, like embracing and holding hands.
A post on the official Danish royal family Instagram account about the occasion explained that it 'is an old tradition for the regent to be celebrated on his birthday with a balcony scene in connection with the big changing of the guard'.
'When the clock struck 12:00, the birthday boy of the day, His Majesty the King, stepped onto the balcony of Frederik VIII's Palace in Amalienborg and waved to the crowd at the castle square along with his family,' the caption read.
Unfortunately, the couple's eldest son Crown Prince Christian, 19, was absent from the celebrations due to his current military service commitments.
The inclusion of Queen Margrethe in the King's birthday celebrations was also considered especially significant by Danish royal fans.
Posting a reply on the royal family's official Instagram account, one fan wrote: 'It simply moves me so much that Queen Margrethe gets to experience this!'
'Seeing [her] son as King and his little family - now on the throne - and being so loved and respected by the people. I don't think Queen Margrethe's smile could be any wider,' they concluded.
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