The first official gala portrait of King Frederik X of Denmark and his Australian-born wife Queen Mary has been released.

The portrait, which shows the couple wearing the Order of the Elephant on chains, will be displayed in state institutions, including at Danish embassies and consulates around the world.  

Taken at Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen, it is the first photo of Mary wearing the crown jewels as queen since ascending the throne in January. 

After more than five decades, Queen Margrethe II announced her decision to abdicate in favour of her son during her New Year’s Eve address.

In the portrait, Mary wears an emerald set with a tiara, necklace earrings and a large broach. 

The set was designed by jeweller CM Weisshaupt and was a gift from Christian VIII to Queen Caroline Amalie, the Royal House states on its website. 

The set’s emeralds and diamonds are partly reused items from the jewellery collection of Christian VI’s Queen Sophie Magdalene and from older bracelets, combined with newly purchased stones, the Royal House website states.

Mary also wears a diamond miniature portrait of the king in a bow of Order of Dannebrog ribbon, in keeping with the tradition of female members of the royal family wearing a portrait of the sovereign.