Amalienborg is celebrating 225 years as a Danish royal residence.
The Amalienborg Palace complex is where the Queen and Crown Prince Family reside in Copenhagen, as have eight former kings since 1794.
Today marks exactly 225 years since King Christian VII moved into Amalienborg after a devastating fire destroyed Christiansborg Palace leaving only the Riding Line system. Initially meant to be temporary, the move became permanent with royals residing there ever since.
The construction of Amalienborg’s four palaces began in 1750 during the reign of King Frederik V to mark the 300th anniversary of King Christian’s coronation. It took ten years before it was finally completed and another 30 for the Royal Family to move in after Christiansborg’s fire.
The Royal Guard took up their positions at the same time King Christian VII moved in; they were created in 1658 by King Frederik III.
The four palaces of the complex are Christian VII’s Palace, Christian VIII’s Palace, Frederick VIII’s Palace, and Christian IX’s Palace. Queen Margrethe and her late husband took up residence in the latter palace in 1967. Frederick VIII’s Palace is the residence of Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary and their family.
Momentus occasions for the Royal Family have taken place in the complex, including the proclamations of Kings Frederik VIII and Christian X in 1906 and 1912, respectively. It was also the site of the proclamations of King Frederik IX in 1947 and Queen Margrethe in 1972. Additionally, it was the site for the significant signing of the new Constitution that gave women the right to vote in 1915. There, King Christian X met with Danish government members after the German invasion of the country in 1940, as well.
During the German occupation, the Royal Family remained in Amalienborg, and in 1944, a battle took place outside the palace. The shot holes in the walls can still be seen at the complex. Moreover, King Frederik IX signed an amendment to the Act of Succession to the throne on 27 March 1953 to allow for absolute primogeniture – meaning women had the same succession rights as the men.
Additionally, Amalienborg has been the location of several New Year’s addresses by the monarch. Appearances and celebrations for weddings and important birthdays have also taken place there – including the Queen’s 75th birthday in 2015. It has also played a central role for the Royal Run last year and this coming year.
To celebrate, the Royal Family released a video on their YouTube (seen at the top of this article) to mark the 225th anniversary.
