G.I. Dane! Crown Princess Mary dresses in head to toe military camouflage as she throws herself into field exercises in the woods with the Danish Home Guard

  • Crown Princess Mary participated in drills with the Danish Home Guard on the island of Falster in Denmark
  • The Australian-born royal joined the voluntary military organisation in 2008
  • Mary embraced her military uniform, donning head to toe camouflage, combat boots and a beret 
  • The Crown Princess was promoted to first lieutenant following the day's exercises 
  • Unlike many European royals, the Aussie princess is known for her love of adventurous sports and activities
  • Mary is Patron of the World Health Organisation and United Nations Population Fund
  • She works with several mental health, sporting, anti-bullying and maternal health charities

Royal watchers are used to seeing her in elegant dresses, sky high heels, and perfectly coiffed hair.

But Crown Princess Mary, 43, ditched her stilettos for combat boots, and donned head to toe camouflage to take part in a military exercise in Denmark recently.

Participating in the Danish Home Guard's field exercise 'Svend Gonge' on Friday, the future Queen dressed in their traditional green uniform along with 500 fellow members in the depths of the woods on the island of Falster.

Following the Crown Princess' joining of voluntary military organisation the Home Guard in 2008, she now boasts the title of first lieutenant after being promoted on the day. 

Scroll down for video 

Rolling up her sleeves: Crown Princess Mary of Denmark ditched her heels for combat boots and camouflage to take part in a military exercise with the Danish Home Guard on Friday

Rolling up her sleeves: Crown Princess Mary of Denmark ditched her heels for combat boots and camouflage to take part in a military exercise with the Danish Home Guard on Friday

Undercover: The Crown Princess embraced her military uniform, donning a beret, gloves and shades with her camouflage cuniform

Undercover: The Crown Princess embraced her military uniform, donning a beret, gloves and shades with her camouflage cuniform

The exercise showed off Mary's adventurous side, the Princess participating in a series of guarding and shooting activities and taking on each challenge with a brave face.

Mary fully embraced the role, with pictures showing her looking focused as she listed to instructions and carried out drills.

The Australian-born royal looked every bit the part in her military ensemble, sporting the green beret of the Armed Forces, black gloves and dark shades.

Adventurous: The Australian-born royal participated in drills, including shooting exercises, in the depths of the woods on the island of Falster

Adventurous: The Australian-born royal participated in drills, including shooting exercises, in the depths of the woods on the island of Falster

Promotion: Mary now boasts the title of first lieutenant after being promoted from lieutenant

Promotion: Mary now boasts the title of first lieutenant after being promoted from lieutenant

Major General Finn Winkler commented on the Princess' performance following the drills. 

'The Home Guard is happy and proud of the Crown Princess' participation in this exercise. We greatly appreciate the recognition Crown Princess once again shows the Home Guard, the volunteers and the tasks that they contribute to the Armed Forces and society,' he said. 

'It was also a great honour to appoint Crown Princess lieutenant of the exercise.'

Service in The Danish Home Guard voluntary and unpaid. Mary has been a member since 2008, and in 2009 was appointed lieutenant. 

Make-under: Royal watchers are used to seeing Mary (pictured L-R at Industriencs hus in Copenhagen on Friday, and awards ceremonies earlier this month)  in elegant dresses, chic suits, and stilettos
Make-under: Royal watchers are used to seeing Mary (pictured L-R at Industriencs hus in Copenhagen on Friday, and awards ceremonies earlier this month)  in elegant dresses, chic suits, and stilettos
Make-under: Royal watchers are used to seeing Mary (pictured L-R at Industriencs hus in Copenhagen on Friday, and awards ceremonies earlier this month)  in elegant dresses, chic suits, and stilettos

Make-under: Royal watchers are used to seeing Mary (pictured L-R at Industriens hus in Copenhagen on Friday, and awards ceremonies earlier this month)  in elegant dresses, chic suits, and stilettos

Royal duties: Mary with her husband Crown Prince Frederik, (left) in November at the Bambi Awards, and (right) at New Year celebrations in January
Royal duties: Mary with her husband Crown Prince Frederik, (left) in November at the Bambi Awards, and (right) at New Year celebrations in January

Royal duties: Mary with her husband Crown Prince Frederik, (left) in November at the Bambi Awards, and (right) at New Year celebrations in January

Family life: The future King and Queen of Denmark pictured in July at the royal summer residence in Gråsten with their children Princess Josephine (holding Mary's hand), Prince Christian (front), Princess Isabella (right) and Prince Vincent (back, obscured) 

Family life: The future King and Queen of Denmark pictured in July at the royal summer residence in Gråsten with their children Princess Josephine (holding Mary's hand), Prince Christian (front), Princess Isabella (right) and Prince Vincent (back, obscured) 

Following her adventures in the woods, the Crown Princess was whisked off to royal duties she is far more accustomed to completing.

She arrived back in Copenhagen to present prizes at the University World Cup at Industriens hus. The event brings together students from all over the world to compete for the best start-up ideas. 

Mary awarded the winning prize to Standford University students Caleb Kumar, 19, Aslan Maleki, 22, and Teun de Planque, 22 for their idea, VesaliusMed, is a new method of diagnosing bladder cancer by testing urine for abnormal cells rather than blood - a more accurate, faster, and also cheaper method if diagnosing the disease.

The comments below have not been moderated.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now