Royal Life Guards (Denmark)

The Royal Life Guard
Den Kongelige Livgarde
Cap Badge of the Royal Danish Guard
Active 30 June 1658 – present (360 years, 3 months)
Country  Kingdom of Denmark
Branch  Royal Danish Army
Type Foot Guards
Role 1. Bataljon – Mechanized infantry
2. Bataljon – Mechanized infantry
3. Bataljon – Training
Guards Company – Public Duties
Size Three battalions & one company
Part of Army Staff
Garrison/HQ Høvelte
Rosenborg Castle
Nickname(s) Livgarden, Garden
Motto(s) Pro Rege et Grege (For King and people)
Stable belt
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
Website Official website
Commanders
Current
commander		 Colonel Mads Rahbek
Chief of the Guard Company Major S.P. Østergaard
Notable
commanders		 Duke William of Württemberg
Christian X of Denmark
Alexander III of Russia

The Royal Life Guards (Danish: Den Kongelige Livgarde) is an mechanized infantry regiment of the Danish Army, founded in 1658 by King Frederik III. The primary task is to train the Royal Guards for various functions in the mobilisation force, along with providing a small number of soldiers from the Guard Company to serve as a guard/ceremonial unit to the Danish monarchy.[1] 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.[2]

Organisation

The regiment itself has three battalions, the Guard Company and a Musical Corps:

  • 1st Battalion (I Bataljon) – Founded 1658. Mechanized Infantry Battalion, part of 2nd Brigade.
  • 2nd Battalion (II Bataljon) – Founded 1867. Mechanized Infantry Battalion, part of 2nd Brigade.
  • 3rd Battalion (III Bataljon) – Founded 1923. Training Battalion.
  • Guard Company (Vagtkompagniet) - Founded 1659. Ceremonial/guard unit.
  • Royal Life Guard Musical Corps - Founded 1658. Musical unit.

Guard Company

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 review order uniform of the Royal Life Guards, worn while they are on guard duty, consists of bearskin headdresses, dark blue tunics and light blue trousers with white stripes. The ceremonial uniform, worn on special state occasions, substitutes a scarlet tunic for the dark blue.[3] The bearskin dates from 1803 and is decorated with the regiment's bronze cap badge (the Sun and Royal Coat of Arms).[4] Symbolic infantry sabers are carried by the rank and file. These were part of the spoils from the First Schleswig War of 1848–1851 and were originally derived from a French infantry weapon.

Names of the regiment

Names[5]
Hans kongelige Majestæts LivregimentHis Royal Majesty's Life Regiment1658–1684
Vor Garde til FodsOur Guard to Foot1684–1763
Den kongelige Livgarde til FodsRoyal Life Guard on Foot1763–1867
LivgardenLife Guard1867–1961
Den kongelige LivgardeRoyal Life Guard1961–Present

Alliances

See also

References

  1. ↑ Værnsfælles Forsvarskommando (11 September 2018). "Om Den Kongelige Livgarde". forsvaret.dk (in Danish). Danish Defence. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  2. ↑ Værnsfælles Forsvarskommando (18 December 2016). "Livgardens historie". forsvaret.dk (in Danish). Danish Defence. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  3. ↑ Rinaldo D. D'Ami, page 83 "World Uniforms in Colour" Vol. 1, SBN 85059 031 0
  4. ↑ Rinaldo D. D'Ami, page 84 "World Uniforms in Colour" Vol. 1, SBN 85059 031 0
  5. ↑ Laursen, Ole (22 April 2014). "Historical Overview of Royal Life Guards". Wadschier. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
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