Playing Tourist at Amalienborg Palace

While in Copenhagen it is fun to watch the changing of the guard at the Amalienborg Palace. Amalienborg is the home of the Danish royal family. It is made up of of four identical classical palace façades set around an octagonal courtyard. There are different types of ceremony of the changing of the guards depending upon which of the royal family is in residence at the royal palace in Copenhagen. The Royal Guard and the mounted Kongelige Livgarde (Kings Life Guard)are on duty for 24 hours. Notice that the guards are armed with modern weapons! The types of ceremonies are as follows Kongevagt (King's Watch) when the Monarch is in residence the Guards are accompanied by the Royal Guards music band. Løjtnantsvagt (Lieutenant Watch) when Prince Henrik, Crown Prince Frederik or Prince Joachim are residing at Amalienborg in the capacity of regents the Guards are accompanied by flutes and drums. Palævagt (Manor Watch) when 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 musical accompaniment. We got to watch the Løjtnantsvagt (Lieutenant Watch) when Prince Henrik, Crown Prince Frederik or Prince Joachim is in residence. We followed the mounted Kongelige Livgarde (Kings Life Guard) down the city streets to the Kastellet. The Kastellet or Citidel in English is a fortress where the horses are stabled and trained. The fortress is rather unique because it is star shaped when looked at from above. It has a large moat inside of which there is a tall dirt parapet. On the inside of that there are barracks, a windmill and a church. I felt really sorry for the soldiers that were assigned the KP duty of cleaning up the horse droppings from the flagstone. The day was rather dreary but we really enjoyed watching the pomp and circumstance. God bless, chris All images were created with a handheld Canon 7D mkII