Amalienborg Palace, Copenhagen

[suss2]

I'm glad that the government appears to be addressing the problem of the ageing palace. I believe the problems are not simply a refit, but taking care of ageing woodwork, roof etc. I recall seeing photos from the time of their engagement showing windows where the paintwork was very old and worn leaving deep weather lines in the wood.
As the palace is part of all Denmark's heritage, it stands to reason that the work should be carried out.

[UserDane]

Originally Posted by SarahLindeau

Interesting. What is considered "very bad shape" for living to Fredrik and Mary is probably more than suitable for any normal person. It always makes me wonder whether or not all these elaborate and expensive "renovations" are really necessary, and worth the taxpayers' money.

The Swedish king wants millions of Swedish crowns to renovate his residence, so that he can have a "better view."

This restoration is more than necessary - there seems to be dry rot in the woodwork and there can be no doubt that the restoration work just has to be carried out.

[Sophus]

When princess Margrethe and prince Henrik were to take up residence in the Palais Christian IX (a part of Amalienborg Palace) that too needed renovation - pictures from back then show how dry rot had ruined most of the stucco from the 18. century. When the similar Palais Christian VII was renovated in the 90 it too had serious dry rot problems in the stucco and panels.

[HRHAmy]

Does anybody have pictures of the newly restored palace? Interior and exterior?:)

[marezdote]

Originally Posted by HRHAmy

Does anybody have pictures of the newly restored palace? Interior and exterior?:)

Here are some sites I found that have pictures and info on Amalienborg.

http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Eur...photo78209.htm

http://www.copenhagenpictures.dk/amalborg.html

http://www.ses.dk/object.php?obj=386...rchLogID=84953 (this one is in Danish)

[biboquinhas]

Has a moderns Princess doesn't she prefer to live in an Apartment?

[norwegianne]

Originally Posted by marezdote

Here are some sites I found that have pictures and info on Amalienborg.

http://www.copenhagenpictures.dk/amalborg.html

When the site claims that the bear hats on the guards are always worn - it is quite mistaken. These hot summer days, the guards are wearing lighter hats in blue, more like caps. (I biked across the palace square today)

A recent expose in Ekstra Bladet was about how Mary's (note how it is Mary and not Frederik...) renovation of their palace, ended up with 40 bathrooms.

I didn't stop to buy it, so that I could read the article, but I was reminded of the renovation of the Norwegian Palace - when Queen Sonja was vilified for spending too much money - and King Harald escaped with little critique at all.

I think a common denominator in these recent renovation cases is that the palaces simply haven't been maintained well enough, during the royals' stay there, and when the royals move in as a crown prince couple, and live there until they die, as in the case of Queen Ingrid, of course it is going to need renovations afterwards.

[GlitteringTiaras]

Well if it needs to be done, then it needs to be done.

Obviously they, whomever that may be, waited far too long and as a result the palace is in horrible condition thus costing a lot of money to upgrade the place.

40 bathrooms?! Huh. I don't believe it.


:)

[Lee27]

The renovations are probably needed to upgrade the security of the castle. Since the couple will probably entertain government officials and foreign dignataries at the castle, renovations will be needed for that.

Mary will be the focus of any criticism because she will be the one turning a castle into a home for her family.

[Stefan]

Originally Posted by GlitteringTiaras

Well if it needs to be done, then it needs to be done.

Obviously they, whomever that may be, waited far too long and as a result the palace is in horrible condition thus costing a lot of money to upgrade the place.

40 bathrooms?! Huh. I don't believe it.


:)

The part of Amalienborg where Frederik and Mary will live in future is the Frederik VIII. Palais which was the residence of King Frederik IX. and Queen Ingrid, who lived there until her death in November 2000. The last Renovation was in 1935 when it was renovated for Frederik and Ingrid before they moved in. But it will take probably until 2009 until the renovations are ready.
There are 3 other Palaces: Christian IX. Palais: Residence of Queen Margrethe II. and Prince Henrik during the Winter.
Christian VII. Palais: used for housing of State-Guests and Banquets
Christian VIII. Palais: on the ground floor there is the Amalienborg Museum and in then there are Appartements for Prince Joachim and Princess Benedikte when the stay in Copenhagen. Until 2004 Crown Prince Frederik had also an Appartement in the Palais.

[dlws92]

<<40 bathrooms?! Huh. I don't believe it.>>

Could they be counting "public" bathrooms? I imagine the couple will host balls or large dinner events that would have more than an average amount of people. When people here in the US host something extra large at their home like a BBQ as a graduation party, sometimes they bring in portapotties...I'm guessing that a temporary toilet in front of Amalienborg wouldn't be cool :)

Debby

[tabbitha]

Originally Posted by GlitteringTiaras

40 bathrooms?! Huh. I don't believe it.


:)

Well you never know when you've got to go :p Maybe they cater for when guests arrive- i couldn't imagine them all sharing a couple of toilets but then 40 seems a lot too- if that is true. :)

[Tricota]

Originally Posted by tabbitha

Well you never know when you've got to go :p Maybe they cater for when guests arrive- i couldn't imagine them all sharing a couple of toilets but then 40 seems a lot too- if that is true. :)

Actually, it is not 40, but 20, an increase of 4 from the last renovation. Not really that much, when you think about that the mansion is about 5000 m2. And as dlws92 said, it does not only include the provate bathrooms but also the once for "public" use when there will be parties etc., and I am sure also bathrooms for the staff, some of whom may both work and live there...And when you consider that the last renovation was, as mentioned in 1935, it suddenly doesnt sound that crazy. Normaly I wouldnt respond, but one of the tabloids here have been running a particular horrendous campaign as of late, about the royal and their spending, confusing many things.

As someone mentioned, Amalienborg is indeed owned by the state and if, God forbid, we should one day become a republic, the place would be theres to sell or do with as they pleased. The renovation and maitenence has been shabby for a long time, and as someone mentioned it has been years since they first descovered the problems, only to start a formal renovation a few years ago...

And so for a tabloid to use that as a opportunity to write a critical story about the royal family, only proved that they will do anything to sell papers. It would of couse have been interesting to have seen to tackle the real issue and problems, mainly that despite financial difficulty, saving on maitenance and restoration is the worst thing that you can do, as it ALWAYS ends up being much more expensive...But I guess all the politicians are on summerbreak...

[Sophus]

When I wrote my treatise about royal portraiture in Denmark I was permitted to study the works of art at Amalienborg in the four palais royales and I can assure you all, that this place is far too small for 40 bathrooms - even if they were placed with only ten in each palais...

Everyone who has seen a plan of the palais royales at Amalienborg knows that there are not even 40 rooms in each of them...

[MARG]

Whist I am not a Danish citizen, I can tell you that should any 'Heritage' building be left to fall into disrepair, be it (in the case of New Zealand) the Governor General's dwelling or the Prime Minister's, I would feel anger at allowing our (short) history to be endangered.

I also expect the government to foot the bill to keep these buildings not only in good repair, but in a degree of luxury. Our diplomatic guests deserve to be hosted in comfort and 'style', by which I mean equal at the very least to that which is provided by the best Hotel in the country. Anything less is false modesty and lack of grace! :o

(Having one's guests queueing for the bathroom is NOT a good look.)

[Jo of Palatine]

Originally Posted by MARG

(Having one's guests queueing for the bathroom is NOT a good look.)

Or offering them one with the sanitary installations of the beginning of the last century!

[politikgirl]

I was permitted to study the works of art at Amalienborg in the four palais royales...

Pardon my ignorance, but what is the make-up of Amalienborg? There are four palais royales inside that makeup the palace itself?

[norwegianne]

Originally Posted by politikgirl

Pardon my ignorance, but what is the make-up of Amalienborg? There are four palais royales inside that makeup the palace itself?

Amalienborg (it is never referred to as "Amalienborg Castle/Palace" in Danish, as far as I'm aware, just Amalienborg) is four palaces around a "town square."

This illustration (PDF) may explain it visually better: http://www.ses.dk/db/files/amalienborg_pdf_.pdf

[carlota]

wasn't one of their residences already restored? as far as i remember there was some criticism about a kitchen of the place where they currently live/will be living was restored, and cost lots of money. where was that kitchen? in the chancellory house or in amalienborg? i see no reason for restoring a kitchen with so much money that won't be used anymore...

[Paty]

Originally Posted by norwegianne

Amalienborg (it is never referred to as "Amalienborg Castle/Palace" in Danish, as far as I'm aware, just Amalienborg) is four palaces around a "town square."

This illustration (PDF) may explain it visually better: http://www.ses.dk/db/files/amalienborg_pdf_.pdf

Very Interesting.! Thanks, but In which palace do they live ?
And where do they live in summer ?

Thanks in Avance!!