Queen Mary of Denmark claps at the 2024 European Men’s Handball Championship between Denmark and France on Jan. 28.Photo:Tom Weller/picture alliance/Getty

North Rhine-Westphalia, Cologne: Handball: European Championship, France - Denmark, final round, , Final, Lanxess Arena. Denmark’s Queen Mary takes part in the award ceremony on January 28, 2024.

Tom Weller/picture alliance/Getty

Queen Maryof Denmark is recapping her first solo outing in her new royal role in a modern way — onInstagram!

On Sunday, the Queen of Denmark, 51, stepped out in Cologne, Germany for the 2024 European Men’s Handball Championship between Denmark and France in Cologne. The stop marked Mary’s first solo engagement since her mother-in-lawQueen Margretheabdicated on Jan. 14 and her husband becameKing Frederikof Denmark, making her Queen in the same sweep.

The Danish Royal House posted a photo of Queen Mary inside Lanxess Arena, where France ultimately beat Denmark 33-31 in the handball championship.

“It was a very even match. The picture here was taken just before the second half started. What a finale…. Well fought, Denmark. It was up close and nerve-wracking to witness. It has been an impressive effort that you have all made at the European Championship. Congratulations on the silver medal🥈 which I had the honor to present,” read theInstagramcaption, signed “✒️ H.M. The queen.”

Queen Mary sat next to German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier during the match, and congratulated players from both teams on the court after. The social media post brought a personal touch to Mary’s take on the game, but it’s no surprise she knows her way around Instagram — after all, she’s a mom of four teenagers! Queen Mary and King Frederik are parents toCrown Prince Christian, 18,Princess Isabella, 16, and 13-year-old twinsPrince VincentandPrincess Josephine, and their eldest son took Frederik’s former Crown Prince title upon the change of reign.

Christof Koepsel/Getty

Queen Mary of Denmark interacts with Mikkel Hansen after during the Men’s EHF Euro 2024 final match between Denmark and France at Lanxess Arena on January 28, 2024 in Cologne, Germany.

Queen Margrethe abdicated on the 52nd anniversary of her accession and made history as the first Danish monarch to voluntarily step down from the throne in nearly 900 years, per Danish Royal Househistory. Though her decision to step downcame as a shockto most Danes, Queen Margrethe said the extensive back surgery she had in 2023 “gave rise to thinking about the future,” per an Englishtranslationof the official transcription, and explained that she decided “now is the right time.”

Queen Margrethe signs a declaration of abdication as Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark becomes King Frederik X of Denmark and Prince Christian of Denmark watches on during the Council of State at the Christiansborg Castle on Jan. 14.MADS CLAUS RASMUSSEN/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark (R) signs a declaration of abdication as Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark (C) becomes King Frederik X of Denmark and Prince Christian of Denmark reacts in the Council of State at the Christiansborg Castle in Copenhagen, Denmark

MADS CLAUS RASMUSSEN/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty

The royal couple gave a wave — and shared asurprise kiss! — before their four kids appeared on the terrace of the royal residence.

Princess Isabella of Denmark, Prince Christian of Denmark, King Frederik X of Denmark, Queen Mary of Denmark, Princess Josephine of Denmark and Prince Vincent of Denmark wave to the crowd after a declaration of the King’s accession to the throne at Christiansborg Palace on Jan. 14.Sean Gallup/Getty

Princess Isabella of Denmark, Prince Christian of Denmark, King Frederik X of Denmark, Queen Mary of Denmark, Princess Josephine of Denmark and Prince Vincent of Denmark wave to the crowd after a declaration of the King’s accession to the throne, from the balcony of Christiansborg Palace

Sean Gallup/Getty

King Frederik’s accession changed the family dynamic forever, as Crown Prince Christian took his father’s former title as heir to the throne. Meanwhile, Princess Isabella, Prince Vincent (who is26 minutes olderthan his twin sister) and Princess Josephine all moved up a spot in the line of succession.

A few days later, the Danish Royal House unveiled theofficial portraitsof the royal family on the accession day. The photos were taken in the Throne Room a few moments after the King’s proclamation on Jan. 14.

The Danish Royal Family Portraits

Dennis Stenild, Kongehuset

Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

King Frederik X, Queen Mary, Prince Vincent, Crown Prince Christian, Princess Isabella and Princess Josephine greet the crowd after a church service at Aarhus Cathedral on Jan. 21.MIKKEL BERG PEDERSEN/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP/Getty

King Frederik X, Queen Mary, Prince Vincent, Crown Prince Christian, Princess Isabella and Princess Josephine greet the crowd after a church service on the occasion of the change of throne in Denmark, in Aarhus Cathedral, on January 21, 2024.

MIKKEL BERG PEDERSEN/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP/Getty

source: people.com