The Royal Guard

The function of The Royal Danish Guards is to guard the Sovereign and the Royal palaces and also to train and form field units for the Army.

The regiment is composed of national servicemen as well as professionals, and annually about 1,000 soldiers are trained for service. Today, changing the guard at Amalienborg takes place when the Royal Family is in residence.

The Guards Parade consists of the Band, the Corps of Drums, and the guard unit of 36 guardsmen, all in blue uniform with bearskin hats. On special occasions, the scarlet full-dress uniform is used. Apart from Amalienborg, the regiment frequently guards Fredensborg Palace in North Sealand and occasionally Christiansborg and Marselisborg (Arhus, Jutland). The guard duties also include Rosenborg and Kastellet.

At Amalienborg, the Royal Residence in Copenhagen, the Royal Guard is on duty for 24 hours and the relief takes place every day at 12 o'clock noon. The parade starts off from the barracks by the Rosenborg Palace at 11:30am and there are three types:

'Kongevagt'

(i.e.The King's Watch) - when HM the Queen is in residence - accompanied by the Royal Guards music band - departure from the barracks at 11:31, route: Rosenborggade, Købmagergade, Østergade, Kongens Nytorv, Bredgade, Sct.Annæ Plads, Amaliegade, Amalienborg.

'Løjtnantsvagt'

(i.e. The Lieutenant Watch) - when HRH Prins Henrik is residing at the palace, HRH the Crown Prince or HRH Prince Joachim are residing at Amalienborg in the capacity of regents - accompanied by flutes and drums - departure from the barracks at 11:31, route: Rosenborggade, Købmagergade, Østergade, Kongens Nytorv, Bredgade, Sct.Annæ Plads, Amaliegade, Amalienborg.

'Palævagt'

(i.e. The Manor Watch) - when HRH the Crown Prince or Prince Joachim are in residence but not in the capacity of regents or the Palace is uninhabited - the Guards march through Copenhagen without music accompaniment. Departure from the barracks at 11:32, route: Gothersgade, CHr.IX's Gade, Kr. Bernikowsgade, Kongens Nytorv, Bredgade, Frederiksgade, Amalienborg.