Royal Life Guards (Denmark)

The Danish Royal Guard
Den Kongelige Livgarde

Cap Badge of the Royal Danish Guard
Active 1658-present
Country  Denmark
Branch Royal Danish Army
Type Foot Guards
Role 1. Bataljon – Mechanized infantry
2. Bataljon – Mechanized infantry
3. Bataljon – Training
Size Four battalions
Part of Army Staff
Garrison/HQ I. Bataljon – Garderkasernen, Høvelte
II. Bataljon – Garderkasernen, Høvelte
III. Bataljon – Garderkasernen, Høvelte
Guards Company – Copenhagen
Nickname(s) Livgarden, Garden
Motto(s) Pro Rege et Grege (For King and People)
Colors
Engagements Northern Wars
Scanian War
Great Northern War
Napoleonic Wars
First War of Schleswig
Second War of Schleswig
Operation Weserübung
War in Afghanistan (2001–2014)
Post-invasion Iraq, 2003–2011
Operation Inherent Resolve
Resolute Support Mission
Commanders
Ceremonial chief HM Queen Margrethe II of Denmark
Colonel of
the Regiment		 Mads Rahbek
Notable
commanders		 Duke William of Württemberg
Christian X of Denmark
Alexander III of Russia

The Royal Life Guards (Den Kongelige Livgarde) is an infantry regiment of the Danish Army, founded in 1658 by King Frederik III. It serves in two roles: as a front line combat unit, and as a guard/ceremonial unit to the Danish monarchy. Until its disbandment, the Royal Horse Guards (Livgarden til Hest), served the role as the mounted guard/ceremonial unit, afterwards the role was taken over by Guard Hussar Regiment Mounted Squadron. During the time period 1684-1867, the Royal Life Guards were called The Royal Foot Guard (Den Kongelige Livgarde til Fods), in order to distinguish between the regiment and the Royal Horse Guards. During his time in the Danish forces, Crown Prince Frederik served a tour in the Royal Life Guards with the rank of Sergeant.

Guard duties

The Royal Life Guards provide a permanent guard at the Amalienborg Palace, Kastellet (part of the old fortification of Copenhagen), Rosenborg Castle/garrison of the Royal Life Guards in Copenhagen and the garrison of Høvelte. On occasions guard is kept at Fredensborg Palace, Marselisborg Palace, Gråsten Palace, Christiansborg Palace and other locations inside the Danish realm.

Uniform

The ordinary uniform of the Royal Life Guards while they are on guard duty is dark blue. Their full dress uniform is very similar to that of the Foot Guards regiments of the British Army: a scarlet or blue tunic; blue trousers; and a bearskin with the regiment's cap badge (the Sun and Royal Coat of Arms); together with the symbolic infantry sabre, which is part of the spoils from the First Schleswig War 1848–1850 and originally a French infantry sabre.

Organisation

The regiment itself has three battalions and the Guards Company:

Alliances

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to The Royal Life Guards in Denmark.


This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 10/25/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.