Amalienborg Palace, Copenhagen

[Muhler]

If it's any consolation, Tarlita, I can't figure it out either!

So inspired by you I will upload this map and guide to the buildings at Amalienborg.

The map: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi..._Palace-en.png
The observant among you will notice the original names of the mansions are used - just to confuse everyone.

#2 Christian VIII's Mansion. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi..._Pal%C3%A6.jpg - This is where Benedikte, Queen Anne-Marie and Joachim and our Marie have their apartments.
Here is also where the museum is located.

#3 Frederik VIII's Mansion. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi..._Pal%C3%A6.jpg
This is where M&F live.

#4 Christian IX's Mansion. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi..._Pal%C3%A6.jpg
This is where the Regent Couple live.

#5 Christian VII's Mansion. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...malienborg.jpg
Today used primarily for representation and housing guests.

- The Yellow Mansion, where the administration is located is down the street on Amaliegade.

[polyesco]

thank you Muhler.
this really helps. its a nice set up.

Im sure this has been answer before but when Frederik becomes King he would stay in #3 or move next door to #4?
Christian when he becomes CP and starts his family would live in #4?

[Muhler]

Originally Posted by polyesco

thank you Muhler.
this really helps. its a nice set up.

Im sure this has been answer before but when Frederik becomes King he would stay in #3 or move next door to #4?
Christian when he becomes CP and starts his family would live in #4?

You are right. Frederik will stay and when the time comes in say 20 years from now, I think #4 will be renovated. - In the meantime it's likely that apartments will be prepared in #2, for the rest of M&F's children.
And since we can expect both M&F and Christian to live longer, I will speculate that the oldest son/daughter of Christian will move in in #3, where M&F now live.
That is, from a somewhat morbid point of view, that they all die when it's most convenient.

[csw]

Thanks Muhler! I am so glad you are on this forum! Can you tell me if the center square is a public place or is access to the square restricted? Thank you.

[Muhler]

You are welcome.

The square is public. I've seen taxis drive through the square, but I believe there are restrictions for private cars and cars that do not have any business there.

The only parts of the square that are restricted are along the buildings, you are to maintain a distance of a couple of meters or so, especially from the windows in the basement.
And around the guards themselves.

In contrast to the guardsmen at say the British palaces, the Danish Royal Lifeguardsmen are not for show.
They have live rounds in the rifles and as such you are required to maintain a distance of about 1.5 meters or 5 feet from the guards.
In contrast to popular belief the guardsmen are allowed to both speak and look around - in fact that's their job. But they will naturally not do so unless there is a good reason.
Anyone, be they civillian or military including tourists are required by law to obey any order from a guard on duty.
It happens from time to time that the guards have to take action against people, usually intoxicated persons at night.
About 30 years or so back, there were a couple of instances where guardsmen fired warningshots against intruders at Fredensborg.

- I mention all this because I from time to time read about tourists who are confused when they are chased away when trying to pose next to a guardsmen at the royal palaces.

[Archduchess Zelia]

Originally Posted by Muhler

I must confess I'm not 100 % certain where the museum is located, but I believe it's in Christian VIII's Mansion. - Please confirm anyone....

The Amalienborg Museum (or "The Royal Danish Collections") indeed is located in Levetzau's Palace/Christian VIII's Palace. Crown Prince Frederik also had an apartment there up until 2011 when the renovation of Frederik VIII's Palace was done.

[polyesco]

Originally Posted by Muhler

Y

In contrast to the guardsmen at say the British palaces, the Danish Royal Lifeguardsmen are not for show.
They have live rounds in the rifles and as such you are required to maintain a distance of about 1.5 meters or 5 feet from the guards.
In contrast to popular belief the guardsmen are allowed to both speak and look around - in fact that's their job. But they will naturally not do so unless there is a good reason.
Anyone, be they civillian or military including tourists are required by law to obey any order from a guard on duty.
It happens from time to time that the guards have to take action against people, usually intoxicated persons at night.
About 30 years or so back, there were a couple of instances where guardsmen fired warningshots against intruders at Fredensborg.

- I mention all this because I from time to time read about tourists who are confused when they are chased away when trying to pose next to a guardsmen at the royal palaces.

good to know for me

[FasterB]

Originally Posted by Muhler

I must confess I'm not 100 % certain where the museum is located, but I believe it's in Christian VIII's Mansion. - Please confirm anyone....

You are right

Originally Posted by Muhler

The square is public. I've seen taxis drive through the square, but I believe there are restrictions for private cars and cars that do not have any business there.

Nope, there are no restrictions about the square, it´s just a normal roundabout So anyone can go there, be it in car, by bike or by foot

[Archduchess Zelia]

Originally Posted by FasterB

Nope, there are no restrictions about the square, it´s just a normal roundabout So anyone can go there, be it in car, by bike or by foot

Is it just me, or is it like the square is kind of sacred? I mean, Copenhagen is a busy city but it's never like the square is being abused by cars. Maybe it's because taking a shortcut from Bredgade through Amalienborg, for instance, isn't much quicker, but to me it feels like people are respecting that this is the place of the Queen and that is to be treated properly.
And by saying that, obviously I don't count in all the taxis trying to run down tourists in there

[Muhler]

Thanks FasterB & Archduchess Zelia

[FasterB]

Originally Posted by Archduchess Zelia

Is it just me, or is it like the square is kind of sacred? I mean, Copenhagen is a busy city but it's never like the square is being abused by cars. Maybe it's because taking a shortcut from Bredgade through Amalienborg, for instance, isn't much quicker, but to me it feels like people are respecting that this is the place of the Queen and that is to be treated properly.
And by saying that, obviously I don't count in all the taxis trying to run down tourists in there

It could very well be that people treat it like a sacred and thereby forgets that there are no restrictions... Or maybe they just assume that there are restrictions

[nwinther]

Originally Posted by Archduchess Zelia

Is it just me, or is it like the square is kind of sacred? I mean, Copenhagen is a busy city but it's never like the square is being abused by cars. Maybe it's because taking a shortcut from Bredgade through Amalienborg, for instance, isn't much quicker, but to me it feels like people are respecting that this is the place of the Queen and that is to be treated properly.
And by saying that, obviously I don't count in all the taxis trying to run down tourists in there

Well, the fact that you'll be confronted by armed guards if you "hang around" or slow down your car seem to have that effect on people.

[Harold]

Sad that you can't pose with the guards. Understandable but sad.

I get the impression, which may be really wrong, that Amalienborg is not a real palace like Buckingham or Stockholm, but just large mansions. Is that correct? Most of the major entertaining is done elsewhere, correct?

[Muhler]

Originally Posted by Harold

Sad that you can't pose with the guards. Understandable but sad.

I get the impression, which may be really wrong, that Amalienborg is not a real palace like Buckingham or Stockholm, but just large mansions. Is that correct? Most of the major entertaining is done elsewhere, correct?

You are absolutely correct.
If we are to be pedantic the official name is not even Amalienborg Slot (palace) but just Amalienborg.

Let's have a historical look, shall we? When the Amalienborg complex was build in the 1750's the DRF lived at Christiansborg Slot and that was a genuine palace, with ball rooms and what not. It was also the seat of the administration of Denmark - back then in the time of Absolutism.
Then in late 1790's Christiansborg burned down to ground and the DRF became "palaceless". - There were indeed a few palaces around but they were either situated too far away or too small, so what to do?
Well, the royal family moved in at Amalienborg, the central administration moved in whereever there was room.
But for decades afterwards things were bit cramped representation wise. Not that big a problem as the king was basically insane and the crown prince ran the country on a day to day basis.
Then came the state bankrupcy in 1813 so there were savings and things became even less grand, as such there weren't that much need for big ballrooms and grand halls.

However a new Christianborg was build and the DRF was supposed to have moved in, (the only king to actually live there was Frederik VII) but Amalienborg was pretty cosy and Denmark had become a democracy so it was a good idea to seperate the king and the parliament. And wouldn't you know, Christiansborg burned once more!
By the time the latest Christiansborg was finished democracy had been well established the power of the monarch had been curbed.

So today official state business takes place at Christiansborg. Like audiences, State Councils, recieving ambassadors and so on. Official gala dinners take place at Christiansborg or Fredensborg depending on the time of year or the mood.

[Harold]

Thanks, Muhler. That confirms what I always thought. Christianborg remains the seat of power and the seat of cermony. Although, I'm sure some entertaining can be done at Amalienborg?

[Queen Penelope]

Informative as always, Muhler! Thanks for the great history lesson! :)

[Muhler]

Originally Posted by Harold

Thanks, Muhler. That confirms what I always thought. Christianborg remains the seat of power and the seat of cermony. Although, I'm sure some entertaining can be done at Amalienborg?

You are welcome, Harold & Queen Penelope

Oh yes, albeit on a lesser scale.
M&F's mansion in particular is after the renovation suited for representation and smaller dinners and balls for up to say 50 persons - but certainly no more than this.

[King of the Jungle]

Originally Posted by Muhler

If it's any consolation, Tarlita, I can't figure it out either!

So inspired by you I will upload this map and guide to the buildings at Amalienborg.

The map: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi..._Palace-en.png
The observant among you will notice the original names of the mansions are used - just to confuse everyone.

#2 Christian VIII's Mansion. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi..._Pal%C3%A6.jpg - This is where Benedikte, Queen Anne-Marie and Joachim and our Marie have their apartments.
Here is also where the museum is located.

#3 Frederik VIII's Mansion. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi..._Pal%C3%A6.jpg
This is where M&F live.

#4 Christian IX's Mansion. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi..._Pal%C3%A6.jpg
This is where the Regent Couple live.

#5 Christian VII's Mansion. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...malienborg.jpg
Today used primarily for representation and housing guests.

- The Yellow Mansion, where the administration is located is down the street on Amaliegade.

Wow, thank you, Muhler.
I am shocked at how accessible to the public these buildings are!!
To be a Danish Royal would mean one couldn't really look out of the windows for fear of being photographed.
Hopefully the palaces have private back gardens.
Muhler, are there problems with attracting any trouble makers who are able to walk so closely to the residences of the Danish Royal family?
Are there any security problems?

[Muhler]

Originally Posted by King of the Jungle

Wow, thank you, Muhler.
I am shocked at how accessible to the public these buildings are!!
To be a Danish Royal would mean one couldn't really look out of the windows for fear of being photographed.
Hopefully the palaces have private back gardens.
Muhler, are there problems with attracting any trouble makers who are able to walk so closely to the residences of the Danish Royal family?
Are there any security problems?

You are welcome.
Their privacy is pretty good, especially considering that they are living in a city centre. The two lower floors are basically representation, with offices, so privacy isn't that big a problem and the windows are located quite high, so you litterally have to walk up to the windows and stand on your toes to have a chance of seeing anything on the ground floor. - And the guards will stop you, if you try.
The Private apartments are located higher up and the windows are smaller (or rather of normal size) ensuring a good deal of privacy.

The gardens are private and surrounded by high walls and there are alarms. A foreign burglar scaled one of the walls once and found himself lying under several hundred kilos of guardsmen within minutes.
The most serious problems the guardsmen have to deal with are drunkards and tourists who go too close to the buildings or the guards - they are simply chased away or they will be arrested. (The guardsmen are allowed to arrest people as any other military guard on duty).
And the ultimate deterrant is of course that the guards will open fire if need be. That hasn't happened at Amalienborg since 1943, and that was against German soldiers.

There have been a couple of instances where guards have fired warningshots at intruders at Fredensborg, but it was never made clear to the public what really had happened.
I can't say whether there have been serious breaches of security, if there has the public hasn't been informed. Anyway, an intruder will have to get past the PET officers on duty as well to get to the Regent Couple or M&F.

The residences that are not in use by the DRF are secured by alarms. I believe it was last year a burglar tried to enter Marselisborg. He smashed a window in the celler and went in - and didn't get far before half the police corps in Aarhus was there. And being located in the middle of a large park there was no chance of escape the dogs got him in no time.
According to one paper he was pretty much ridiculed by other inmates for being so stupid as to break into one of the most secure buildings in Aarhus.

[chelly]

So no one will scale the wall and get into the Queen's bedroom. Thanks for the information, it is nice to know that the guards have never had to use force to often.