Royal Life Guards (Denmark)
The Royal Life Guards (Danish: Den Kongelige Livgarde) is a mechanized infantry regiment of the Danish Army, founded in 1658 by King Frederik III. The primary task is to provide a number of soldiers from the Guard Company to serve as a guard/ceremonial unit to the Danish monarchy, while training the Royal Guards for various functions in the mobilisation force.[1] Until its disbandment, the Royal Horse Guards (Danish: Livgarden til Hest), served the role as the mounted guard/ceremonial unit, afterwards the role was taken over by Guard Hussar Regiment Mounted Squadron. During the time period 1684-1867, the Royal Life Guards were called The Royal Foot Guard (Danish: Den Kongelige Livgarde til Fods), in order to distinguish between the regiment and the Royal Horse Guards.[2]
| The Royal Life Guard | |
|---|---|
| Den Kongelige Livgarde | |
 Coat of arms | |
| Active | 30 June 1658 – present (362 years, 7 months) |
| Country | .svg.png.webp){kind=small} Kingdom of Denmark |
| Branch | Royal Danish Army |
| Type | Foot Guards |
| Role | 1st Battalion – Mechanized infantry 2nd Battalion – Mechanized infantry 3rd Battalion – Training Guards Company – Public Duties |
| Size | Three battalions & one company |
| Part of | Army Staff |
| Garrison/HQ | Høvelte Rosenborg Castle |
| Nickname(s) | Livgarden, Garden |
| Motto(s) | Pro Rege et Grege (For King and people) |
| Engagements | Northern Wars Scanian War Great Northern War Napoleonic Wars First War of Schleswig Second War of Schleswig Operation Weserübung War in Afghanistan (2001–present) Post-invasion Iraq, 2003–2011 Operation Inherent Resolve Resolute Support Mission |
| Website | Official website |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Colonel Mads Rahbek |
| Chief of the Guard Company | Major S.P. Østergaard |
| Notable commanders | Duke William of Württemberg Christian X of Denmark Alexander III of Russia |
| Insignia | |
| Cap Badge of the Royal Danish Guard |  |
| Regimental belt |  |
| Colours |  |
Organisation
The regiment itself has two battalions, the Guard Company and a Musical Corps:
1st Battalion – Founded 1658. Mechanized Infantry Battalion, part of 1st Brigade. Plus Ultra (Even further)
Staff Company (STKMP/I/LG)
1st Armored Infantry Company (1/I/LG)
2nd Mechanized Infantry Company (2/I/LG)
2nd Battalion – Founded 1867. Mechanized Infantry Battalion, Vincere Volumus (We'll be victorious)
1st Mechanized Infantry Company (1/II/LG)
2nd Basic Training Company (2/II/LG)
3rd Basic Training Company (3/II/LG)
Royal Guard Company (Vagtkompagniet) - Founded 1659. Ceremonial/guard unit.
Royal Life Guard Music Band (Den Kongelige Livgardes Musikkkorps) - Founded 1658. Musical unit.
- Disbanded units
3rd Battalion – Founded 1923, Disbanded 2018. Infantry (basic training) Battalion. (Mechanized Infantry Battalion 2000-2004)
4th Battalion – Founded 1961, Disbanded 2005. Infantry Battalion.
5th Battalion – Founded 2001, Disbanded 2005. Infantry Battalion. (Merged in from Danish Life Regiment, only as reserve)
6th Battalion – Founded 2001, Disbanded 2005. Infantry Battalion. (Merged in from Danish Life Regiment, only as reserve)
7th Battalion – Founded 2001, Disbanded 2005. Infantry Battalion. (Merged in from Zealand Life Regiment, only as reserve)
Names of the regiment
| Hans kongelige Majestæts Livregiment | His Royal Majesty's Life Regiment | 1658 | – | 1684 |
| Vor Garde til Fods | Our Guard on Foot | 1684 | – | 1763 |
| Den kongelige Livgarde til Fods | Royal Life Guard on Foot | 1763 | – | 1867 |
| Livgarden | Life Guard | 1867 | – | 1961 |
| Den kongelige Livgarde | Royal Life Guard | 1961 | – | Present |
Alliances
United Kingdom – The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (Queen's and Royal Hampshires) – Bond of Friendship
Germany – Bundeswehr
Image gallery
Life Guard in old combat uniform
Life Guard in combat uniform (m/84)
staff company/1st battalion.
See also
References
- Værnsfælles Forsvarskommando (11 September 2018). "Om Den Kongelige Livgarde". forsvaret.dk (in Danish). Danish Defence. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
- Værnsfælles Forsvarskommando (18 December 2016). "Livgardens historie". forsvaret.dk (in Danish). Danish Defence. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
- Laursen, Ole (22 April 2014). "Historical Overview of Royal Life Guards". Wadschier. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
Further reading
- Brammer, G. (1908). Livgarden 1658-1908 (in Danish). Copenhagen.
- Gram-Andersen, J. (1983). Den Kongelige Livgarde 325 år - perioden 1958-1983 (in Danish). Copenhagen.
- Gram-Andersen, J. (1986). Livgardens Kaserne & Rosenborg Eksercerplads 200 år (in Danish). Copenhagen.
- Lövenskiold, C.L.v (1858). Efterretninger om Den Kongelige Livgarde til Fods (in Danish). Copenhagen.
- Thaulow, Th. (1933). Livgarden 1908-1933 (in Danish). Copenhagen.
- Thaulow, Th.; Mentze, E.; Friis Møller, M., eds. (1958). Livgarden gennem 300 år (in Danish). Copenhagen.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to The Royal Life Guards in Denmark. |
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