JEWELS IN THE CROWN

A royal bond is blossoming between the Princess of Wales and the new Queen of Denmark - and Kate is keenly watching Mary's rise up the ranks

- REBECCA RUSSELL

There are few people who could ever understand what life is like as a monarch- in-waiting, but the Princess of Wales appears to have found a confidante in Mary, the new Queen of Denmark.

Following the recent shock abdication of Queen Margrethe after a reign of more than five decades, Kate, 42, will have been keen to lend her support to close friend and “muse”, Mary, 51, who is married to the new King Frederik X.

Formally styled as Crown Princess Mary before her husband’s accession to the throne on 14 January, the two royal women share a close relationship – with many crediting Mary as the muse behind Kate’s own brand of royal magic.

A source tells OK!, “Kate and Mary swapped phone numbers several years ago and often reach out to each other via text message. Those kinds of things are usually done through officials or aides, but Kate and Mary tore up the rule book to allow their friendship to flow and grow naturally.”

As for how the pair’s friendship has blossomed, the source adds, “Their friendship started very much focused on discussing royal engagements and etiquette and how best to present themselves to the public, but it has become more personable over time, and they are now firm friends. They often chat about the children and what’s going on in their personal lives. They also discuss the very similar roles they have to undertake and even swap style tips from time to time.”

“Kate is like a younger sister to Mary, who is both beautiful and elegant,” the designer Karl Lagerfeld said ahead of the 2011 wedding of William and Kate. Ten years her senior, Mary has expertly laid the groundwork for what a princess (and now Queen) should look like and represent in the 21st century.