Queen Mary wears personal favourite tiara she bought at auction for glittering state banquet in Lithuania


The royal couple joined President Gitanas Nauseda and his wife, Lithuania's First Lady Diana Nausediene, at the Presidential Palace in Vilnius, on Wednesday night


King Frederik X and Queen Mary of Denmark pose with Lithuania's President Gitanas Nauseda and his wife Diana Nausediene attend a state banquet at the Presidential Palace in Vilnius on January 28© Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Ima
Eleanor DyeOnline Royal Correspondent
3 hours ago
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Queen Mary and King Frederik of Denmark pulled out all the stops on Wednesday night as they attended a glittering state banquet in Lithuania. 

The royal couple are currently on a two-day visit to the country, and joined President Gitanas Nauseda and his wife, Lithuania's First Lady Diana Nausediene, at the Presidential Palace in Vilnius for the glamorous occasion.  

Queen Mary, 53, looked elegant as ever in a floor-length, long-sleeved burgundy gown by designer Elie Saab, complete with cape detailing, pinning King Frederik's portrait order to the front. 

She added the stunning Diamond Necklace Tiara, believed to be a personal favourite of the monarch, as she bought it herself at auction in 2012 from the Bruun Rasmussen house in Copenhagen. She completed the look with matching diamond earrings and a statement ruby ring that previously belonged to King Frederik's grandmother, Queen Ingrid. 

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© Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Ima

King Frederik and Queen Mary attended a state banquet

The King and Queen were awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of Vytautas the Great, which is reserved for heads of state and is Lithuania's most prestigious honour. 

In return, the King appointed the president as a Knight of the Order of the Elephant, while the First Lady received the Grand Cross of the Order of the Dannebrog.

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© Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Ima

King Frederik gave a speech

The King said in a speech during the banquet: "Mr President. On behalf of Queen Mary and myself, I would like to thank you for the warm welcome and for new unforgettable memories from here. 

"I raise a toast to you, Mrs Diana Nausėdienė, and to the Lithuanian people with the wish for friendship, happiness and progress for both our countries."


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© AFP via Getty Images

Queen Mary and King Frederik visit Lithuania

Earlier in the day, the couple were welcomed to snowy weather by the president and his wife in front of the presidential palace.

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© AFP via Getty Images

The couple are visiting the Baltic countries

Mary and Frederik signed the guest book and met Ukrainian youths during a visit to the Ukrainian centre.

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© AFP via Getty Images

They were welcomed by the President and his wife

In addition to official meetings, the visit particularly focuses on defence readiness and energy security, including visits to Lithuania's home guard and volunteer defence force. 

The visit is the third and final state visit to the Baltic countries, following the visit to Latvia in 2025 and Estonia in the preceding days. 

Where are Mary and Frederik visiting this week?

Queen Mary and King Frederik are paying a visit to the Baltic countries this week, and have arrived in Lithuania after going to Estonia. Wednesday marked the second time in a week that the royals had been seen in their state finery. In Estonia, they were hosted by President Alar Karis and First Lady Sirje Karis for the concert and dinner at St Nicholas Church in Tallinn. 

Queen Mary dazzled in a navy satin gown with a bejewelled neckline, and even re-wore her wedding tiara. The antique jewels were gifted to Australian-born Mary by her in-laws, Queen Margrethe and the late Prince Henrik, on her wedding day to Frederik on 14 May 2004. 

King Frederik and Queen Mary decorate royal Christmas tree with four children - watch

Their eldest son, Crown Prince Christian, 20, is acting as regent in Denmark while his father Frederik is overseas. Mary and Frederik have four children: Crown Prince Christian, Princess Isabella, 18, and twins, Vincent and Josephine, who celebrated their 15th birthday earlier this month.  

The Danish King and Queen met in a pub while attending the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. Mary, who was born in Australia, became engaged to the then-future King of Denmark in 2003, before tying the knot in Copenhagen the following year. Frederik became King of Denmark in January 2024 after his mother, Queen Margrethe, abdicated the throne. 

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