Located an easy walk from the Little Mermaid statue and the Kastellet, Amalienborg is the winter home of the Danish royal family.  It is comprised of four identical palace buildings with an octagonal courtyard that is monitored 24/7 by Den Kongelige Livgarde (the Royal Life Guards).  Their uniforms are similar to those worn by the guards at Buckingham Palace, including tall, bearskin caps.

Guard Photo #1.  The guards typically walk back and forth in their assigned area of the courtyard, but for a set period of time each hour, they stand at their stations while guarding the palace.

Guard Photo #2.  This young man (he looks about 12-years-old to other people, too, right?!?) appeared to be the leader of the guards on shift.  At the end of each pace, the guards all pause while the courtyard is scanned.  On this guard’s command, they then turn on their heels and march the return length of their assigned area. 

Guard Photo #3.  Each day at noon, you can watch the changing of the guards at Amalienborg.  While this wasn’t the case during my visit, if the Queen is in residence, the changing of the guards is accompanied by the Royal Guards Music Band.

On Today’s Date in the Past:

• One Thing, Three Ways:  More Butterflies
• What are you lookin’ at?