Beauty secrets: Princess Mary turns 40

She’s about to celebrate a landmark birthday and with women the world over envying her looks, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark shows she’s definitely fab at 40.

Her hair and skin are as radiant as always, and with a svelt, athletic frame to style her elegant designer clothes on, Mary is bound to be picture perfect for her birthday on February 5.

New Idea can reveal the secrets behind Mary’s fantastic looks, gleaned from those who have helped first-hand.

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Insiders say her figure is down to a supremely active lifestyle that includes regular jogging around the gardens of Amalienborg Palace, the home she shares with Crown Prince Frederik, horse riding whenever she can, Pilates, yoga, swimming and gym work.

Danish instructor Tore Munch, says he has to create unique training regimes for Mary to adapt while she’s away on official visits.

‘I taught her a lot of Pilates exercises she could do on her own when she was away. She is very committed to being healthy so she always had the motivation to do it herself,’ he says.

While all agree Mary is fit, maintenance is the key. ‘We worked together four or five times a week,’ says another of her former trainers, Jacob Søndergaard.

‘She likes body awareness exercises, joint mobility exercises and heavy resistance training. Full body movements with dumbbells and barbells.’

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Jacob says it was boxing that helped Mary shape up post pregnancy.

‘We did boxing with a bag and boxing with pads. She’s a very good boxer.

‘Boxing is very good for all your muscle groups and it demands a high degree of hand eye coordination.’

Make-up artist Søren Hedegaard says keeping on top of her hairstyle helps her to look amazing.

‘Make your hair stay fit, have the ends trimmed every six weeks. Conditioning is important too.’

Jacob says the thing that makes Mary look so great is her happiness.

‘If you are happy you will feel good then you will want to look good and it will be easy to get back in shape,’ he says.

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Søren Hedegaard, makeup artist and hairdresser says the most important part of styling the princess is shaping her eyebrows.

‘The important thing is to have the right shape to frame the eye,’ he says.

‘If the eyebrow doesn’t have the right balance with the hair it can make the look a little strange.’

Ole Henriksen, skin care specialist, says: ‘I know the Crown Princess is a fan of my Fresh Start eye creme which is rich and dense in texture, allowing for a flawless makeup application.’