Royal Life Guards (Denmark)

The Royal Life Guards
Den Kongelige Livgarde
File:Den kongelige livgarde.jpg Cap Badge of the Royal Danish Guards
Active	1658-present
Country	Denmark
Branch	Royal Danish Army
Type	Foot Guards
Role	1. Bataljon – Armoured infantry 2. Bataljon – Armoured infantry 4. Bataljon – Armoured Infantry 5. Bataljon – Training
Size	Four battalions
Part of	Hærens Operative Kommando
Garrison/HQ	I. Bataljon – Garderkasernen, Høvelte II. Bataljon – Garderkasernen, Høvelte III. Bataljon – Garderkasernen, Høvelte Guards Company – Copenhagen
Motto	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–present) Post-invasion Iraq, 2003–present
Commanders
Ceremonial chief	HM Queen Margrethe II of Denmark
Colonel of the Regiment	Klavs Henrik Lawes
Notable commanders	Duke William of Württemberg Christian X of Denmark

Changing of the Guards at Amalienborg Palace.

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.

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.

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. During his time in the Danish forces, Crown Prince Frederik served a tour in the Royal Life Guards with the rank of Sergeant.

The regiment itself has three battalions:

• 1st Battalion (I Bataljon) – Founded 1658. Armoured Infantry Battalion, part of 2nd Brigade.
• 2nd Battalion (II Bataljon) – Founded 1867. Armoured Infantry Battalion, part of 2nd Brigade.
• 3rd Battalion (III Bataljon) – Founded 1923. Training Battalion.

Alliances

• United Kingdom – The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (Queen's and Royal Hampshires) – Bond of Friendship
• Germany

Image gallery

• 

  Royal Guard at the Amalienborg Palace, Copenhagen.

• 

  Danish Royal Guards presenting arms at the Changing of the Guard ceremony, Amalienborg.

• 

  Royal Life Guards in Frederiksgade, Copenhagen

• 

  Royal Guards on Queen Margrethe II's Birthday, 16 April 2009.

See also

• Guard Hussar Regiment (Denmark)
• Guard Hussar Regiment Mounted Squadron
• Royal Horse Guards (Denmark)

External links

• Official Site
• Den Kongelige Livgardes Musikkorps