Royal Life Guards (Denmark)

Last updated
The Royal Life Guard
Den Kongelige Livgarde
Coat of arms for Danish Royal Life Guards.svg
Coat of arms
Active30 June 1658 – present (365 years, 9 months)
CountryFlag of Denmark (state).svg  Kingdom of Denmark
BranchFlag of Denmark (state).svg  Royal Danish Army
Type Foot Guards
Role1st Battalion – Mechanized infantry
2nd Battalion – Training
Guards Company Public Duties
SizeThree 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
Royal Life Guards' Mutiny
Napoleonic Wars
First War of Schleswig
Second War of Schleswig
Operation Weserübung
War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
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 H. C. Rørvang
Notable
commanders
Duke William of Württemberg
Christian X of Denmark
Alexander III of Russia
Insignia
Cap Badge of the Royal Danish Guard Emblem for the Danish Royal Life Guards.svg
Regimental belt Stable belt LG.PNG
Colours LG Colours.svg

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 16841867, 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]

Contents

History

The Royal Life Guards were established by Frederik III of Denmark on June 30, 1658, the guards were both to protect Frederik and to be a combat troop regiment.

The life guards still carry out these 2 tasks to this day


Role

The Royal Life Guards serve as a front-line unit and as a guard/ceremonial unit as well to the Danish monarchy.

They are an elite unit of the regular armed forces, so they maintain special privileges.

Organisation

The regiment consists of two infantry battalions, the Guard Company and the Musical Corps:

Disbanded units

Names of the regiment

Names [3]
Hans kongelige Majestæts LivregimentHis Royal Majesty's Life Regiment16581684
Vor Garde til FodsOur Guard on Foot16841763
Den kongelige Livgarde til FodsRoyal Life Guard on Foot17631867
LivgardenLife Guard18671961
Den kongelige LivgardeRoyal Life Guard1961present

Alliances

See also

Related Research Articles

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References

  1. Værnsfælles Forsvarskommando (11 September 2018). "Om Den Kongelige Livgarde". forsvaret.dk (in Danish). Danish Defence . Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  2. Værnsfælles Forsvarskommando (18 December 2016). "Livgardens historie". forsvaret.dk (in Danish). Danish Defence . Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  3. Laursen, Ole (22 April 2014). "Historical Overview of Royal Life Guards". Wadschier. Retrieved 5 June 2017.

Further reading