Queen Mary of Denmark is widely recognised for her composed public presence, but even a royal appearance can come with an unexpected moment of embarrassment.
One such incident occurred at the Design Awards 2018, when the then-Crown Princess was presenting awards to leading Danish designers and creative talents. During the ceremony, an award plaque unexpectedly slipped from its wooden presentation box and landed on the stage, catching Mary completely off guard.
The royal’s surprised, open-mouthed reaction was captured in the moment, offering a rare glimpse of a more relatable side of the Danish queen.
Queen Mary’s Unexpected Award Ceremony Mishap
Mary attended the 2018 Design Awards at the Bellevue Theatre north of Copenhagen, where she presented 12 awards as well as travel scholarships to five emerging design talents.
Among the evening’s honours was the prestigious Designer of the Year award, which Mary presented to designer and architect Lars Vejen.
For the occasion, Mary opted for a sophisticated deep-green ensemble by Danish designer Mark Kenly Domino Tan. The outfit featured wide-leg trousers and a flowing matching top, complemented by Gianvito Rossi mesh pumps and a Cartier ‘Love’ bracelet.
Her brunette hair was styled in glossy curls as she took part in the formal proceedings.
The Danish royal family’s official social media account later shared photographs from the event, showing Mary smiling alongside the evening’s winners.
But behind the polished photographs was a rather more unexpected moment.
While posing with one of the recipients, the award reportedly slipped out of its wooden box and fell onto the stage. Mary appeared visibly surprised, with her immediate reaction leaving her momentarily open-mouthed.
The mishap was quickly resolved, with the award retrieved and the ceremony continuing without further drama.
A Rarely Seen Relatable Side of Queen Mary
Royal engagements are typically carefully choreographed, with members of the royal family expected to maintain composure regardless of what happens around them.
That makes small unscripted moments particularly memorable.
Mary’s reaction at the Design Awards was far removed from the formal image associated with royal ceremonies. Rather than attempting to conceal her surprise, her immediate expression captured the kind of spontaneous response anyone might have when an important object suddenly falls to the floor.
It is moments like these that can make members of the royal family appear more relatable despite the formality surrounding their public duties.
From Sydney Pub to Danish Royalty
Queen Mary’s journey into the Danish royal family was hardly a conventional one.
Born in Australia, Mary first met Crown Prince Frederik during the 2000 Sydney Olympics. The meeting reportedly took place at the Slip Inn pub, where Mary did not initially realise that the man she was speaking to was a member of a European royal family.
Their relationship developed over time, including a period of long-distance dating. Mary eventually moved to Copenhagen, and the couple announced their engagement in October 2003.
They married at Copenhagen Cathedral in May 2004, with Mary becoming Crown Princess of Denmark.
Two decades later, their roles changed dramatically. Frederik and Mary became King and Queen of Denmark in January 2024, following the abdication of Queen Margrethe II.
Mary Once Dreamed of Becoming a Veterinarian
Before royal life became her reality, Mary had imagined a very different future.
In a pre-wedding interview, she recalled that she had once wanted to become a veterinarian.
Her eventual move from Australia to Denmark represented a major change in her life, placing her in the centre of one of Europe’s most prominent royal families.
Yet Mary has frequently spoken about the courage required to embrace that new life alongside Frederik.
At a gala banquet celebrating Frederik’s 50th birthday, she reflected on the uncertainty that accompanied the beginning of their relationship and the decision to step into each other’s worlds.
Her words emphasised the risks involved in choosing an unfamiliar path, while making clear how deeply she valued the life they had built together.
Two Decades in the Royal Spotlight
Since joining the Danish royal family, Mary has become one of its most recognisable figures, balancing ceremonial duties with a public role focused on a range of social and cultural causes.
Her transformation from an Australian advertising executive to Denmark’s queen has been one of the more remarkable modern royal journeys.
And while her public appearances are usually marked by elegance and composure, the 2018 Design Awards incident remains a charming reminder that even royalty cannot control every moment on stage.
Sometimes, an award simply has a mind of its own.
