The grandest of the New Year courts takes place tonight.
We've previously looked the historical background for these courts, now let's look at the ceremonial that you will see in the clips in only a few hours.
This is one of the few occasions when the Order of the Elephant is worn in a chain draped over the shoulders.
The Royal Lifeguard will turn out in their finest, red gala one.
The Guards Hussars will wear their gala uniform.
Any guests present who are entitled to wear a uniform will wear gala.
The DRF will arrive in reverse order of precedence. If she is up to it, Princess Elisabeth will be the first. But she is frail and may arrive by a side entrance.
As the members of the DRF arrive, those who hold a military rank will formally take over command of the guards detachments present and inspect the honor guard.
That means that Benedikte will not inspect the guard as she does not hold a military rank.
The next to arrive will be Joachim and our Marie. Joachim wearing the gala uniform of a colonel in the army. He will remove his headgear when entering the hall. After greeting a few people just inside the door, he will proceed to the honor guard, where the officer in charge will present a report and formally hand over the command to Joachim, since he is the highest ranking member of the DRF present.
Joachim will inspect the honor guard and formally give the officer in charge the order to "carry on".
Then he will rejoin his wife and they will proceed inside.
The next to arrive will be M&F. Frederik will do the same thing. Probably wearing the gala uniform of a rear admiral.
It would be interesting if Frederik should happen to be indisposed.
Mary is entitled to wear a uniform, since she's lieutenant in the Home Guard. So I guess she would inspect the honor guard as a matter of courtesy, but I believe Joachim would still formally be in command.
The last to arrive will be QMII. As the Commander in Chief, she will also inspect the honor guard and formally be in command.
You will notice that QMII always nods in front of the colour-bearer as a sign of respect.
When the royals arrive you will hear a distinct tune being played. That's the fifers and drummers of the Royal Lifeguard playing the Colour March, which is also a salute.
That tune is also known as: "Her kommer Jens med Fanen" = Here comes Jens(*) with the Colour".
Here is the Colour March. So when you hear that tune tonight, don't look away, because that means a royal is coming.
Later tonight, and we won't see it. QMII will give a speak thanking her government but also the MPs for their work
and on this occasion only QMII, now with Mary and Marie, will curtsy to the guests presents as a sign of respect.
I guess Frederik will bow when his time comes.
(*) Jens is the popular name for the Danish army private. Just like Tommy, Ivan, Fritz and so on.
thanks to all for the many links. 
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