Danish New Year Courts: 2004, 2006-2021, 2023, 2024


If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
Perhaps we should have a look at a little detail, that also took place last night.
The guards standing to arms - not to be confused with the guards turning out in arms, which is a pretty serious thing!

Video: Livgarden træder til gevær nytårsaften 2012 - Kongehuset
This clip is from New Years Eve, where the guards always stand to arms while QMII deliver her New Year speech. The difference is only that yesterday they wore red gala.

The guards not on sentry duty march out from their rooms with the front left private leading the way and pace. Behind them go the fifer and the signalman, the drummer. (The Royal Lifeguard was originally a heavy infantry regiment of the line, hence the use of drummers as signalmen rather than hornblowers, which was used in light regiments).
The fifer, played a merry tune, which was considered desirable on marches and good for the morale. He would also pick up the drum and step in as signalman should the drummer get shot or in some cases act as a runner. Beforehand (up until 1920's or so) they were boys.

Once outside they take up position next the the rifle-rests, the metal-thingies.
Beforehand the muskets stood in these rests, so that the guardsmen could hurry out and grab their weapons if need be. Simply because it's akward (and pretty dangerous as well) to run around inside a corridor and out through a door with a musket almost the length of a man, and with a permanently fixed bayonet to make it even longer!
The rests are a French invention.

Once the guards are in position the colour-sergeant come out and take up position in front of the detail.
After having (in theory) picked up their muskets, the sergeant orders the detail forward, muskets in hand and turn around himself.

Then the officers of the watch come out, salutes the colour and take command of the detail. Draw his sabre, the officer's equivalent to the privates picking up their muskets and orders the men to stand a ease, before turning around waiting for the royals to come. (Or as in this clip for the Majesty to begin her speech).

When the royals drive out of their mansions, the detail present arms and the drummer and fifer play the Colour March as a salute.
When Her Majesty is coming, the colour is lowered in salute.

The white stripes on their trousers does not designate the wearer to be an NCO as it was in USA, but it's a branch color. In this case white for infantry.

I love this sort of nerdy details. :graduate:
 
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Mange tag once more, Muhler! This reader shares your love of detail that may be considered 'nerdy' by some, but is important enough to be immortalised in this video published by the Royal House on its website. Prompted by you, I noticed the white trouser stripes had different widths that I imagine denote different rank.:notworthy:.
 
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Thanks Muhler!!!. I see these things online, but without your "nerdy details" (as you put it!) it's not the same! I need the nerdy details!! LOL (how else is this non-Danish speaking Canadian suppose to know the Drummer and Fifer are playing the Colour March in salute?!?!)

Let your nerd flag fly!! LOL
 
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Well, if we are to be pedantic, Mary is correct.

The honour guard is to be inspected by the general only, not the general's wife.
You see the same thing when recieving a foreign head of state at the airport.
QMII escorts the head of state to the honour guard, so that he/she can acknowledge the curtesy.
Both PH and the wife/husband of the head of state stay behind.

Mary has indeed previously inspected an honour guard herself, but that was when she was alone and the highest ranking around. (Like the time she named a Navy Home Guard vessel).

The only one who always escorts a royal/commanding officer who is inspecting an honour guard is the adjutant. Last night it was the head of QMII's staff of adjutants, who escorted QMII, Frederik and Joachim.

Thank you for the explanation.
I wasn't complaining why she wasn't inspecting, just wanted to know what the reason was.
 
I seriously dont like Prince Joachim's uniform..Especially the trousers..EEww.
But of course anything looks good on him, thats a different thing. Why didnt Frederik take off his hat/cap..I wanted to see his hotty hotty greying hair..
 
Thank you for the explanation.
I wasn't complaining why she wasn't inspecting, just wanted to know what the reason was.

Oh, I didn't think you were. It's just a figure of speech. :)

My pleasure, fellow nerds Gerry & Queen Penelope ;)
(Watch out that you don't encourage me too much :lol:).
 
Oh, I didn't think you were. It's just a figure of speech. :)

My pleasure, fellow nerds Gerry & Queen Penelope ;)
(Watch out that you don't encourage me too much :lol:).
Hi Muhler (and thanks for the welcome yesterday) can I say as a long time lurker on these forums how much I've appreciated your knowledgeable comments. :flowers: Please carry on being a nerd.
It was nice to see on the tv report yesterday the Queen's recently retired master of ceremonies (sorry, can't remember his name - Olsen?) Do you think he's now got a new job as a royal commentator? ;) I have the DVD 'The Kingdom' and I enjoy his dry sense of humour on it. The only frustrating thing yesterday was not having a clue as to what he was saying!
 
Hi Muhler (and thanks for the welcome yesterday) can I say as a long time lurker on these forums how much I've appreciated your knowledgeable comments. :flowers: Please carry on being a nerd.
It was nice to see on the tv report yesterday the Queen's recently retired master of ceremonies (sorry, can't remember his name - Olsen?) Do you think he's now got a new job as a royal commentator? ;) I have the DVD 'The Kingdom' and I enjoy his dry sense of humour on it. The only frustrating thing yesterday was not having a clue as to what he was saying!
His name is Christian Eugen-Olsen :) And I for one too hopes that DR has/will hire him as reporter to all the royal things. He knows the drill, the DRF and all the other RFs and I really like him.

The dreamteam for me: Bishop Erik Norman Svendsen and Christian Eugen-Olsen :wub: :wub: :wub:
 
Well, I got the last part of his name right! Let's start a campaign for DR to hire him (I'd have to ask for subtitles though, sorry!) Not being very knowledgable about the Danish Church, I don't know about the Bishop. What's he like?
 
"Princesses Go to 80's Prom"

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/02/royal-new-years-banquet-photos_n_2395720.html?ir=Style

At 71 years old, Queen Margrethe can wear whatever she damn well pleases -- she's a dress-designing, chain-smoking, multilingual rockstar in our book, so we'll love her in anything. But Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, one of Europe's most stylish princesses, showed up in a detailed, off-the-shoulder orange gown with an extra layer of orange material cascading from the waist. We can't tell for sure if it's satin or taffeta or what, but it was certainly... shiny.
Mary was out-shined by Princess Marie Agathe Odile of Denmark, her sister-in-law. Marie wore an even glossier magenta gown with long sleeves and an impressive ruffled train, visible when she turned to walk up the palace steps.
We love the Danish royal family, but between the bright crinkly dresses and the tiaras, this was like Princesses Go To '80s Prom.
 
Well, I got the last part of his name right! Let's start a campaign for DR to hire him (I'd have to ask for subtitles though, sorry!) Not being very knowledgable about the Danish Church, I don't know about the Bishop. What's he like?
Oh, bishop Erik Norman Svendsen is the one, who married the CP Couple and have baptized all the children (except for Prince Nikolai and Prince Felix).
Erik Norman Svendsen was the bishop over Copenhagen from 1992-2009. He is now the personal priest of the DRF :)

You can see him here: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/45/Biskop_Erik_Norman_Svendsen.jpg
 
I recognise him now, thanks. You're right, they look like they'd make a good team!
 
I recognise him now, thanks. You're right, they look like they'd make a good team!
I´m sure they would and they would be such a jolly company, just the two of them, having a real cosy time talking and laughing :ROFLMAO:
 
Hoping one of our Danish members can help with a good pic of Jardins Knights Hall in Christian VII palace. Most pics I have found are quite small and I am hoping for a larger photo of this magnificent room. Thanks in advance
 
If it is 22K gold it will be that "gold". The higher the karat the more golden it will be.

Yes, yes, I know. Though the yellow can be upped a bit with addition of other metals. If 22K, it is very malleable, and all those little anthers are bending in the wind!
 
Any videos of the royal family's arrival at the dinner?
 
Is it the first time Princess Marie wears the Family Order ?? Thanks for answer MO
 
:previous: Thanks, Iceflower :flowers:

They are getting older, or rather Prince Henrik is getting older. It's a nice tough I think, that QMII has opted to sit next to her husband, rather than letting him sit as the only one.

I also notice that he has had his uniform retailored.
 
Mary looks lovely, I am always excited to see her wedding earrings but didn't she wear that same dress last year to this same event? Or was it the next day event?
 
:previous: Thanks, Iceflower :flowers:

They are getting older, or rather Prince Henrik is getting older. It's a nice tough I think, that QMII has opted to sit next to her husband, rather than letting him sit as the only one.

I also notice that he has had his uniform retailored.
The Queen has had knee problems for years so let's not assume it is not her issues that require them sitting. Besides having been a chainsmoker for most of her life her health may be declining at this stage.
 
The Queen has had knee problems for years so let's not assume it is not her issues that require them sitting. Besides having been a chainsmoker for most of her life her health may be declining at this stage.

I fear you may be right.
However, I don't think QMII's knees are a problem. Prince Henrik's back sure is - combined with his weight and it may be the light but he doesn't look particularly well walking into the hall. - But then it may be a case of flu, tens of thousands of Danes are down with flu these days, including here in the Muhler home.

Some details from Billed Bladet #1, 2013.
There were 66 guests at this, the grandest of the New Year Courts/levees.
The government ministers, the Chairman of the Parliament, the President of the Supreme Court and people from the court.
The tradition is centuries old. As the first thing in the new year, you greet and exhcange well wishes with family, friends and associates. The most important of course beeing greeted as the first.
The guests were bid welcome with a glass of champagne, before being served a four course menue, washed down with the famous/infamous Rosenborg Wine, which is served in very small glasses and there is a general agreement the wine is more an experience than a delight. But that is to be expected from a wine that goes back to the 1590's, albeit heavily diluted.

After the dinner, the ministers went to the official residence of the PM, Marienborg, where the PM's husband was host for a dinner for the husband/wives and spouses of the ministers.

BB puts particular emphasis on our Marie's hairstyle, as always done by her hairdresser Dennis Knudsen.
Very intricate I'd say and as such I include this (the light has been turned up for better viewing): https://www.box.com/s/b8weppfif33svsfk264f
There were no closeups of Mary or QMII's hair.

BB is up.

Two galleries from Billed Bladet of first the DRF arriving and walking through the Hall of Drabants at Christiansborg: Billed-Bladet - Dronning Margrethe og svigerdatter holdt nytårskur

Then a gallery of the diplomats: Billed-Bladet - Flot og farvestrålende kur hos dronningen

One of the delightful things of this court is that the diplomats often wear their national costumes.
So if anyone can tell us about the costumes, please do. :) None of us are so bright we can't learn anything new.

BT informs us Måtte sidde ned: Smerteplaget dronning til nytårskur - Royale | www.bt.dk
That QMII is plaqued with pains in her back and that it is PH who is showing solidarity with her by also sitting down.
QMII also had to sit in 2007.

Two large pictures, one from today: http://www.bt.dk/sites/default/files-dk/node-images/975/5/5975356-nytrskur2013.jpg

And from 2007: http://www.bt.dk/sites/default/files-dk/node-images/975/5/5975357-.jpg
 
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Mary looks lovely, I am always excited to see her wedding earrings but didn't she wear that same dress last year to this same event? Or was it the next day event?

Mary looks really lovely :flowers:
Her dress is my favorite New Year Courts dress and together with her wedding earrings :wub:
It was just what I needed at this stormy and rainy day here in Denmark


A large picture of Mary from today
http://sphotos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/150677_428056913932745_628575152_n.jpg



Yes, the dinner Tuesday nights is over, but this picture of Frederik's smile to Mary (in the middle of all the flash lights and with all the photographers shouting "Mary", "Mary", "Mary over here") says it all. I think the picture is priceless. :D :D

http://sphotos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/734199_428094760595627_848763321_n.jpg
 
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BT informs us Måtte sidde ned: Smerteplaget dronning til nytårskur - Royale | www.bt.dk
That QMII is plaqued with pains in her back and that it is PH who is showing solidarity with her by also sitting down.
QMII also had to sit in 2007.

Two large pictures, one from today: http://www.bt.dk/sites/default/files-dk/node-images/975/5/5975356-nytrskur2013.jpg

And from 2007: http://www.bt.dk/sites/default/files-dk/node-images/975/5/5975357-.jpg

thanks everyone for the pictures and information. :flowers:

and just what i needed Frederik in uniform without the hat ;)
http://www.bt.dk/sites/default/files-dk/node-images/975/5/5975356-nytrskur2013.jpg :wub:
 
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