Inside Royal: Queen Mary of Denmark offers a rare glimpse into life at Fredensborg Palace, the royal family’s second home… Check out

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Queen Mary of Denmark offers a rare glimpse into life at Fredensborg Palace, the royal family’s second home
The Danish Queen posted an intimate look inside the royal residence on Instagram.

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Queen Mary posted a rare look inside her second home at Fredensborg Palace.

They’re a famously private couple, but Queen Mary – wife of King Frederik of Denmark – recently offered fans an unprecedented peek into the life she shares with her royal family. Along with her husband and four children, the royal took part in Denmark’s annual royal run, which was set up in 2018 by King Frederik to promote fitness in the country. Just before she left for the race, Mary posted an intimate snap on Instagram, which offered the public a rare glimpse into her second home.

‘Now I’m on my way. Had to leave two who were less satisfied as they weren’t going,’ Mary joked in the caption to the photograph, which showed her crouching on the floor, cuddling the family’s two Australian border collies, Grace and Coco. Grace was adopted in 2017 and is related to the family’s previous dog, Ziggy, while Coco is Grace’s daughter and was born in 2021. ‘I’m looking forward to experiencing the Royal Run in Korsør,’ the Queen added.

The photo appears to have been taken in Chancellery House at Fredensborg Palace, the Danish royal family’s second home located on the shore of Lake Esrum on the island of Zealand. The Palace is the family’s occasional residence, and often acts as the site of important state visits and events. Until her death in 2010, the late Queen Mother, Queen Ingrid, used Chancellery House – a smaller building that abuts the main Palace – as her private residence, after which time it became the summer home of King Frederik and Queen Mary, who live at Amalienborg Palace during the winter. The place holds some significance for the royal couple, who used Chancellery House as their primary home when they were first married in 2004, until renovations at Amalienborg were completed.

Much is known about the architecture of the building, which was built by J.C. Krieger in 1731 during the reign of Christian VI for the King’s ministers and government officials. It’s named Chancellery House, presumably because the Chancellery (the uppermost, central administrative and governing body in Denmark) stayed there when the King resided at Fredensborg Palace. The Régence style decoration is largely maintained, and the house boasts stucco ceilings panelled doors with decorative fittings in wrought iron and Chinoiserie canvas wallpaper.

The Queen had not, however, given royal followers many personal glimpses of her home – until now. Mary’s latest snap clearly shows a cobbled courtyard which gives way to the smart hallway of the house, with its stone floors and ornate wooden dresser. A gilded mirror on one wall and an ornate footstool demonstrate how the King and Queen have kept the decorations mostly traditional, in keeping with the period architecture. The photograph caught the eye for more than just it’s setting, however; in the snap, Queen Mary looked primed and ready for her run, dressed in navy blue workout clothes and trainers, with her hair pulled into a high ponytail.

The Royal Run takes place annually in five different Danish cities, and this year King Frederik, Queen Mary and their four children all laced up their running shoes to participate in various distances across the locations. Queen Mary chose to take on the 5km race in Korsør, before handing out medals to other runners after she had crossed the finishing line. King Frederik tackled the 5km race in Horsens, while the couple’s children demonstrated their own sporting prowess.

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Prince Vincent, Princess Josephine and Princess Isabella all participated in the annual race SOPA Images/Getty Images
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When asked whether he expected to beat his father on time, Crown Prince Christian (who ran the 5km race in Viborg) told TV2 with a cheeky smile: ‘I highly expect that.’ The teenager did indeed pip the King to the post, with a time of 21 minutes and 15 seconds, versus his father’s 25 minutes and 44 seconds. The result wasn’t too surprising: after all, Crown Prince Christian has just finished four months of military training with the Guard Hussar Regiment at the Antvorskov barracks in Slagelse, and is no doubt in peak physical fitness. As he kicked off race day, the Danish King agreed, saying: ‘I am proud that the whole family is participating today. [Crown Prince Christian] has completed his military service and is in the best shape he can be.’